US bans chemicals in anti-bacterial soap

So what does this mean for us?

Photo: Stocksy

Majority of household kitchens and bathrooms would be home to an anti-bacterial soap, but it might be time to re-think how you wash your hands with news the US Food and Drug Administration has banned several key chemicals found in anti-bacterial hand soaps due to the risks they pose to our health.

While 19 ingredients have been called out, Triclosan and triclocarban are the biggest worries for the FDA due to their risk to people’s immune systems.

“Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water,” said the FDA’s Dr Janet Woodcock.


Experts believe that most non-medical products on the market contain at least one of the banned ingredients. (The ban doesn’t include disinfectant products used in hospitals and medical centres.)

So what does this mean for you? While they are yet to be banned in Australia, the FDA recommends washing with plain soap and running water to “avoid getting sick and to prevent the spread of germs to others.”

If soap and water isn’t available, try a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.