NYSDA Publications

FDA Issues Safety Alert on Use of Antibacterial Soaps

Aug 14, 2024

Per the notice below, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert on using antibacterial soaps.

A person washing their hands in a kitchen sink
When you buy soaps and body washes, do you reach for products labeled “antibacterial” hoping they’ll keep your family safer?  Do you think those products will lower your risk of getting sick, spreading germs or being infected?  According to the FDA, there isn’t evidence to show that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.  In fact, some data suggest that antibacterial ingredients could do more harm than good over the long-term.

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