Antibacterial soaps may pose health risks, says US health watchdog

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called for a safety review of such products and proposed a rule requiring manufacturers to prove such soaps are safe and more effective against infection than plain soap and water. The proposal rule does not apply to alcohol-based hand sanitisers and products used in healthcare settings. Manufacturers have until the end of 2014 to submit the results of clinical trials on their products, the FDA said. The new regulations would be finalised in 2016.

"New data suggest that the risks associated with long-term, daily use of antibacterial soaps may outweigh the benefits," Colleen Rogers, an FDA microbiologist, said.

Certain ingredients in such products - such as triclosan in liquid soaps and triclocarban in bar soaps - may contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the FDA added. Such products may also have "unanticipated hormonal effects that are of concern", according to the statement. Recent studies of such chemicals on animals have shown they may alter hormones, but such results have not yet been proven in humans, the agency said.

"Because so many consumers use them, FDA believes that there should be clearly demonstrated benefits to balance any potential risks," the statement added.

If the FDA's proposed rule is finalised, companies would be required to provide data to support their product's health claims. If they cannot, the products would be reformulated or relabelled in order to remain on the market.

In March, a federal appeals court approved a lawsuit by the non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council, aimed at forcing the FDA to review the health impacts of triclosan.