Antibacterial soap ingredients banned by FDA

The United States Food and Drug Administration ordered a ban of 19 chemicals used as active ingredients in antibacterial soap, as well as hand and body wash.  On September 2, the FDA noted that companies have a year to take out these ingredients from their products. They banned nineteen chemicals as a result of this action.

Several companies have already done away with triclosan. Instead, they use one of three other chemicals – benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, or chloroxylenol – as active ingredients in their antibacterial products. However, some companies are not budging. For instance, Dial’s “All Day Freshness” antibacterial soap, contains triclocarban as an active ingredient.