The Soap and Detergent Association today expressed concern over statements made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the effectiveness of a key ingredient used in beneficial antibacterial soaps and body washes.

SDA said it will continue providing an informed perspective to the FDA on the ingredient triclosan.

“The Food and Drug Administration has in its hands a wealth of scientific data showing a distinct germ killing benefit of antibacterial soaps containing triclosan.”

Two recent scientific papers have been published demonstrating the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps in comparison to non-antibacterial soaps. A substantial body of data demonstrates that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial hand wash products are more effective at reducing the risk of bacterial infection compared to washing with non-antibacterial soap.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur each year in the U.S. The acquisition and transmission of bacteria during food preparation play a significant role in causing these infections, and published studies have linked outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease to poor hand washing practices.

Most importantly, these ingredients are used in products that play a beneficial role in the daily hygiene routines of millions of people. Antibacterial hygiene and cleaning products continue to be used safely and effectively in homes, hospitals, and workplaces every single day. Science-based risk analysis backs this up, thanks to the industry’s long-standing research and product stewardship efforts.

Antibacterial ingredients like triclosan are regulated by governmental bodies around the world and have a long track record of human and environmental safety, many of whom have specifically found these ingredients to be safe for use in hygiene and cleaning products. In the U.S., these ingredients are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency, depending upon the type of product that contains them.

SDA said it would look forward to providing information to Rep. Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts), who has challenged FDA and EPA’s regulation of antibacterial ingredients and overall product safety.

“We want Congressman Markey to be aware of the wealth of high quality scientific data that has been provided to both EPA and FDA on the safety and efficacy of antimicrobial products.”