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FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

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Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#31

Post by enave »

okreallywtf wrote: post #10

I hope its not too little too late, we've known about bacterial resistance for decades at this point. Here is hoping animal feed is next.

You have a common misconception. Antibacterial soaps don't cause bacterial resistance. Antibiotics do, but that's because antibiotics must selectively kill bacteria while inside the human body and without harming human cells.

Antibacterial doesn't really have a precise medical definition, but in practice they're dilute antiseptics. In many centuries of use, bacteria have not developed resistance to antiseptics. There's no danger of them developing resistance to these soaps either

...and even if they did, that wouldn't mean they were magically also resistant to some antibiotic.

So basically, the marketing people wanted something more than "just soap" so they used antiseptics and made up a nicer sounding word: Antibacterial. You have (and perhaps this was the intent of the marketing people) assumed this has something to do with antibiotics.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#32

Post by joecool1029 »

gshakir wrote: post #23
mrfusion wrote: post #15

I use antibacterial soap once in a while when I get really bad body Oder and it seems to make it go away. Regular soap hasn't been effective when this happens.

I would investigate some home remedy. Not too strong. You got to be careful with the herbal stuff, they can do a number on your hormones if not carefully used.

Replace substance with questionable efficacy that works anecdotally with something even more nebulous?

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#33

Post by djschnei »

I guess I'm weird; I have no idea why the government has the ability to dictate what is and isn't in the soap that I choose to buy.

I agree however, anti-bacterial soap is silly. Looks like a lot of people here agree. Looks like a market segment to me. Didn't need a gun, theft, or a jail cell to create it.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#34

Post by Kenji »

I love how the FDA shifts the burden of proof to the product makers. You now have to prove that your product works. It's not the state that has to prove that your product is harmful to ban it. I can't agree with this order, but it's just another case of classic FDA behaviour.

I would like to live in a world where you have to show that something is bad before it gets banned. Not just a feeling, or that it doesn't work, but solid evidence that it's bad, that is, harming people or animals or destroying the environment, etc.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#35

Post by Kenji »

djschnei wrote: post #33

I guess I'm weird; I have no idea why the government has the ability to dictate what is and isn't in the soap that I choose to buy. I agree however, anti-bacterial soap is silly. Looks like a lot of people here agree. Looks like a market segment to me. Didn't need a gun, theft, or a jail cell to create it.

You are not weird. The FDA holds enormous power, dictating what substances we may use and what we may not use. A desire for self-determination is only natural.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#37

Post by spankalee »

djschnei wrote: post #33

I guess I'm weird; I have no idea why the government has the ability to dictate what is and isn't in the soap that I choose to buy. I agree however, anti-bacterial soap is silly. Looks like a lot of people here agree. Looks like a market segment to me. Didn't need a gun, theft, or a jail cell to create it.

In this case, all humans are at a potentially grave risk from the actions of others. Seems like the perfect place for regulation.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#38

Post by Vraxx »

djschnei wrote: post #33

I guess I'm weird; I have no idea why the government has the ability to dictate what is and isn't in the soap that I choose to buy. I agree however, anti-bacterial soap is silly. Looks like a lot of people here agree. Looks like a market segment to me. Didn't need a gun, theft, or a jail cell to create it.

Well, the big one is that it's a joint effort as a society to not continually strengthen bacteria by selecting for strains that are resistant to these antimicrobials.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#39

Post by iambateman »

djschnei wrote: post #33

I guess I'm weird; I have no idea why the government has the ability to dictate what is and isn't in the soap that I choose to buy. I agree however, anti-bacterial soap is silly. Looks like a lot of people here agree. Looks like a market segment to me. Didn't need a gun, theft, or a jail cell to create it.

To me, consumer protection is a valid use of government.

And if "antibacterial" soap isn't better, and might be worse, then I'm all for restricting it.

Re: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed from Consumer Soaps

#40

Post by unethical_ban »

I've seen several opinions here.

Antibacterial soap is unhealthy and should be banned for health reasons.

Antibacterial soap is largely ineffective, so should be banned for false advertising reasons.

Antibacterial soap should not be banned.

Which one is right? Is there any science or ethical political philosophy to justify this executive action?

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