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Drug regulator cleaning up antibacterial soaps
MUMBAI: The next time you are washing your hands, you’d do well to check if the soap contains triclosan (TCS) and/or triclocarban (TCC): these two chemicals are
MUMBAI: The next time you are washing your hands, you’d do well to check if the soap contains triclosan (TCS) and/or triclocarban (TCC): these two chemicals are among 19 ingredients recently banned by the US Food and Drugs Administration for possible long-term ill effects.
India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has initiated its own investigation, and plans to study the levels of chemicals, particularly TCS and TCC, present in samples of antibacterial soaps in the market.
“We are writing to the Bureau of Indian Standards, asking them to see what impact these chemicals have on health. I have asked our officials to pick up samples from the market and check the levels of the chemicals, and then we may take some action,” GN Singh, Drugs Controller General of India, told HT.
Manufacturers have not been able to demonstrate that the ingredients are safe for long-term daily use, or even more effective than plain and soap and water.
“Antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term,” Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research had said in her report.
HUL said it is watching the developments. “These products are completely safe... We will watch the developments of the Indian regulator; we will provide them with what ever support is necessary and if the Indian authorities decide to follow suit with the US FDA ruling, we will accordingly evaluate using alternative ingredients,” Vivek Gambhir, MD, GCPL, told HT.
HUL’s Lifebuoy is no longer made with TCC.
Reckitt Benckiser has stopped use of TCS, but still advocates antibacterial soaps over normal soaps. “Simple hand washing is effective, but the use of antibacterial soap provides an extra level of protection against bacteria,” a spokesperson said.
However, products of both HUL and Reckitt Benckiser that contain TCS and TCC are still available.
ITC didn’t comment on the use of these chemicals, and said it was studying details and has always adhered with Indian statutory requirements and standards. “Our quality norms are very stringent and we take all measures to safeguard interests of consumers,” it said.
