CTFA had previously asked the FDA to lower the threshold for approval of consumer antibacterial products. That request was not recommended by the panel at a meeting in March 2005. At that meeting, the panel voted unanimously to recommend retention of the standards for bacteria reduction in antibacterial and antiseptic products for nonconsumer products.
The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its advisory panels but is not obligated to do so. Final review of these products is to be concluded by 2007.
When antibacterial soap is compared with soap and water, no decrease in disease incidence or severity has been found.