Regulations

FDA Updates Website Information on Triclosan

Following a letter sent by the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment regarding information about the status of FDA’s ongoing review of triclosan in consumer products, the agency has updated its website with information about the ingredient.

In January, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, sent a letter to the FDA requesting information about the status of FDA’s ongoing review of triclosan in consumer products.

In responding to the chairman’s letter, FDA explained that, in light of animal studies raising questions about triclosan’s safety, the agency is engaged in an ongoing scientific review to incorporate the most up-to-date data and information into the regulations that govern consumer products containing triclosan.

The FDA said it does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time. For some consumer products, there is clear evidence that triclosan provides a benefit. For other consumer products, FDA has not received evidence that the triclosan provides an extra benefit to health.

At this time, the agency said it does not have evidence that triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.

The Soap and Detergent Association, which has formally expressed concern over statements made by the FDA on triclosan, said it will continue providing an informed perspective to the agency.

“The Food and Drug Administration has in its hands a wealth of scientific data showing a distinct germ killing benefit of antibacterial soaps containing triclosan,” the association said in a press statement.

According to SDA, two recent scientific papers have been published demonstrating the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps in comparison to non-antibacterial soaps. A substantial body of data demonstrates that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial hand wash products are more effective at reducing the risk of bacterial infection compared to washing with non-antibacterial soap.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur each year in the U.S. The acquisition and transmission of bacteria during food preparation play a significant role in causing these infections, and published studies have linked outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease to poor hand washing practices.

Most importantly, these ingredients are used in products that play a beneficial role in the daily hygiene routines of millions of people. Antibacterial hygiene and cleaning products continue to be used safely and effectively in homes, hospitals and workplaces every single day. Science-based risk analysis backs this up, thanks to the industry’s long-standing research and product stewardship efforts.

SDA said it would look forward to providing information to Rep. Markey, who has challenged FDA and EPA’s regulation of antibacterial ingredients and overall product safety.


Kaplan, The Council Announce Partnership

Kaplan EduNeering, a provider of compliance and knowledge management solutions, and the Personal Care Products Council announced a new exclusive alliance to create a comprehensive online compliance and knowledge solution for the cosmetic and personal care products industry.

According to Lezlee Westine, president and chief executive officer of the Personal Care Products Council, “Our alliance with Kaplan EduNeering represents an important opportunity for collaboration on programs that support cosmetic and personal care product safety.

The accessible learning programs that will evolve from this partnership will assist our member companies in their day-to-day efforts to manufacture and sell safe, high quality and innovative products.”

Topics to be addressed include industry guidelines for quality assurance and GMPs, safety evaluation and microbiology. Additionally, the alliance will focus on developing solutions to address the increasingly important issues of environmental stewardship, sustainability and green chemistry.


CSPA Launches Informational Video Game

The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) and its affiliate, the Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE), launched a new interactive videogame featuring “ACE Clean,” an animated superhero developed by ACE, as part of a new disease prevention program for kids of all ages.

According to CSPA, it collaborated with ACE in the creation of the “ACE Clean Trivia Challenge,” an online contest designed to reach children and parents to educate them about good health through cleanliness and proper hygiene practices.

ACE Clean was unveiled to a sell-out crowd at a New Britain Connecticut Rock Cat’s Minor League Baseball Game in May.

“Cleanliness promotes good health,” said Chris Cathcart, CSPA president. “The new online game provides parents and their children a fun and challenging way to learn about the benefits of good hygiene and cleaning.”