FDA Wants Proof Anti-Bacterial Soap Safe For Long Term Use

Says the soaps could cause bacterial resistance and have hormonal effects

The Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday that it was requiring manufacturers of antibacterial soaps to demonstrate that their products are safe for long-term use or reformulate them.

The agency said that some data suggested that long-term use of certain ingredients in the soap that give it the antimicrobial qualities — triclosan in liquid soaps and triclocarban in bar soaps — could pose health risks, such as bacterial resistance or hormonal effects. Some soaps labeled "deodorant" may also contain these ingredients.