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| US health watchdog cracks down on antibacterial soaps | US health watchdog cracks down on antibacterial soaps |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The US health regulator has warned that antibacterial chemicals in soaps and body washes may pose health risks. | The US health regulator has warned that antibacterial chemicals in soaps and body washes may pose health risks. |
| The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for a safety review of such products. | The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for a safety review of such products. |
| It proposed a rule requiring manufacturers to prove such soaps are safe and more effective against infection than plain soap and water. | |
| Recent studies indicate an ingredient in such products could scramble hormone levels and boost drug-proof bacteria. | Recent studies indicate an ingredient in such products could scramble hormone levels and boost drug-proof bacteria. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Unanticipated hormonal effects' | 'Unanticipated hormonal effects' |
| "New data suggest that the risks associated with long-term, daily use of antibacterial soaps may outweigh the benefits," Colleen Rogers, an FDA microbiologist, wrote in a statement on Monday. | "New data suggest that the risks associated with long-term, daily use of antibacterial soaps may outweigh the benefits," Colleen Rogers, an FDA microbiologist, wrote in a statement on Monday. |
| Certain ingredients in such products - such as triclosan in liquid soaps and triclocarban in bar soaps - may contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the agency added. | Certain ingredients in such products - such as triclosan in liquid soaps and triclocarban in bar soaps - may contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the agency added. |
| Such products may also have "unanticipated hormonal effects that are of concern", according to the statement. | 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, the FDA said, but such results have not yet been proven in humans. | Recent studies of such chemicals on animals have shown they may alter hormones, the FDA said, but such results have not yet been proven in humans. |
| "Because so many consumers use them, FDA believes that there should be clearly demonstrated benefits to balance any potential risks," the statement added. | "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 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. | 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. | 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. |