You knew I couldn’t keep quiet about this.

Just three weeks ago, I was telling you to get the triclosan out, and from the moment I started Kitchen Stewardship I’ve been passionate about getting the word out that antibacterial is bad stuff.  Now it’s in the news and under fire.

In one on my first posts, I shared that the AMA, CDC, and EPA all basically recommend plain soap and a good handwashing, no need for antibacterial soap, but that the FDA was simply conducting research on triclosan and hadn’t come down with a decision yet.  Of course, the FDA had approved triclosan for use, but they were still looking into it.  Grrr…

They continue to look into it, but at least they’ve agreed that triclosan isn’t proven to be effective over soap and water.

The FDA states that they’re looking into some studies about how triclosan affects hormone regulation in animals and how it may contribute to bacterial resistance.  Although they determined that triclosan fights gingivitis effectively in 1997, they have yet to find any evidence that “triclosan added to antibacterial soaps and body washes provides extra health benefits over soap and water.”  In spite of that, they won’t recommend changing consumer use of products containing triclosan yet.  (See the full update here.)

Let’s see here: In products that babies, children and other humans may ingest or absorb through their skin, a compound is added for the sole purpose of killing bacteria, and there’s no evidence that it does what it is there for?  Does anyone else notice how ridiculous that sounds?

• If triclosan was a medicine: “Take this pill, and it won’t do anything, but take it anyway.”
• If it was a babysitter: “I don’t actually watch children, but you can pay me to sit at your house for three hours.”
• If it was an educational strategy: “There’s no evidence that this helps children read, but we use it anyway.”

If it probably doesn’t do anything, why bother with it?  I’m reaffirmed in my decision to get the triclosan out of my house and keep it out.

The Power of the Legislature

You might wonder why the FDA is issuing statements about triclosan now, if they still have so much research to sift through.  We can thank Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and his voting constituents for bringing this issue to the nation’s attention.  He petitioned the FDA and the EPA to restrict the use of triclosan so that it wouldn’t be allowed in children’s products or anything that comes into contact with food. Many countries, including the European Union, already have bans or restrictions on the chemical.

The FDA and EPA are not going to act fast enough, so Rep. Markey will.  He’s introducing legislation to regulate triclosan more strictly and speed up the evaluation process.  May I just say, on behalf of all parents and other humans out there, Thank you!

Read the whole news article here or here.

Want to make a difference?

• Send a quick note to your representatives and senators asking them to support any triclosan regulations or bans that come across their desk.
• Send a letter to Bath and Body Works here (update it with this information, too!).

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Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money.  If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.