Antibacterial soaps – a product we thought was a quick and easy solution to warding off germs, isn’t so healthy for us after all. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a final ruling that prohibits the sales of liquid and bar antibacterial soaps sold over the counter due to missing evidence that they are safe and effective in preventing the spread of bacterial infections.
The FDA researched antibacterial soaps in 2013 after data from studies performed on animals showed these soaps, which contain the ingredient tricolsan, potentially could pose health risks to humans, such as bacterial resistance or hormonal effects. Later that year, the FDA asked antibacterial soap manufacturers to submit evidence proving their products’ ingredients were safe for long-term, daily use and more effective than non-antibacterial soap at preventing infections. In last week’s ruling, the FDA explained that manufacturers did not demonstrate that 19 different ingredients are both safe for long-term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections.
This ban will affect approximately 2,100 products, which is 40 percent of the soaps currently being sold in the U.S., and have many of us throwing away bottles and bars.
So, what is a safe, chemical-free soap alternative? Try making your own natural liquid hand soap by following this simple recipe.
Homemade Hand Soap
1. Fill a foaming hand soap dispenser with three quarters water (boiled or distilled) and one quarter unscented liquid Castile soap.
2. Add 1/8 of a teaspoon of essential oil – such as tea tree for its antibacterial properties, lemon for its odor killing properties or lavender for its fragrant scent.
3. Shake the dispenser so all of the ingredients mix together.
*Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov
*Source: Natural Living Ideas, www.naturallivingideas.com
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