Popular antibacterial soaps and washes are no more effective at preventing illness than plain -- and less expensive -- soap and water, an FDA advisory panel warned. The experts said it may not be worth the risk of spawning resistant bacteria.The panel’s conclusion could eventually lead to stricter regulation of hundreds of antibacterial products, now often sold with the suggestion that they offer an advantage over traditional cleansers.But FDA officials said any potential rule changes that force stricter labeling or place limits on advertising claims are more than a year away at least.
