The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule establishing that over-the-counter consumer antibacterial wash products can no longer be marketed because manufacturers did not demonstrate that the ingredients are both safe for long-term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections. The ban pertains to products containing certain active ingredients, including the most commonly used ingredients – triclosan and triclocarban. This rule does not affect consumer hand sanitizers or wipes, or antibacterial products used in healthcare settings. Read the FDA final rule. Read APIC’s comments to the 2013 proposed rule.