ACI member manufacturers are actively conducting studies and working with the FDA to reinforce the safety and efficacy of these products
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) refuted recent comments made by activist groups challenging the safety and effectiveness of lawfully marketed antibacterial soaps and ingredients.
Contrary to the assertions raised by these groups, led by the Green Science Policy Institute in comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ACI and its members have been working expeditiously to gather the evidence FDA is requiring to demonstrate that these products are Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE).
“American Cleaning Institute members continue to work diligently with the Food and Drug Administration and under its timelines on the FDA-required studies to establish GRASE status for antibacterial ingredients used in consumer soaps,” said James Kim, PhD, ACI Senior Vice President of Science & Regulatory Affairs. “Much research, such as in vitro efficacy assays and smaller clinical studies, have already been completed and/or published.
“For example, we have submitted Time-Kill efficacy data to FDA clearly demonstrating broad-spectrum antiseptic activity of the active ingredients in question. These ingredients are also registered for use in antimicrobial pesticides with EPA based on their safety and effectiveness.”
“Antibacterial soaps are an important resource for consumers in their homes and in public settings, such as daycare centers, schools, airports and restaurants, for not only washing off germs as regular soap does, but in killing any remaining germs on hands,” said Dr. Kim. “While hand hygiene at key moments is important, regular soaps without an antibacterial ingredient remove germs, but do not kill the germs on hands – and for some consumers, they want or need soaps that kill germs."
“ACI and its members are committed to providing consumers with antibacterial soap products that meet the highest safety and efficacy standards and will continue to work with the FDA to provide the science, research and data to support these products. We believe consumers should continue to have access to these important products as part of their hand hygiene routines.”
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.