Is Triclosan Banned?
In antibacterial soaps and body washes, yes. The FDA issued a final rule in 2016 under which 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in nonprescription consumer antiseptic wash products, which include liquid, foam and gel hand soaps, bar soaps and body washes.
The FDA says it acted because manufacturers did not provide the data needed to show those ingredients are both safe for daily use over a long period of time and any more effective than plain soap and water at preventing illnesses and the spread of certain infections. The rule established that the ingredients are not generally recognized as safe and effective for consumer antiseptic washes, and it took effect September 6, 2017.
From that date, the FDA says, consumer antiseptic wash products containing those ingredients are misbranded and cannot be introduced into interstate commerce unless they are the subject of an approved new drug application.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Regulatory filingThe FDA issued a final rule in 2016 under which 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in nonprescription consumer antiseptic washes such as hand soaps, bar soaps and body washes. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA says manufacturers did not provide data showing those ingredients are both safe for daily long-term use and more effective than plain soap and water at preventing illness and the spread of certain infections. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA final rule establishes that 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, are not generally recognized as safe and effective for consumer antiseptic washes, and the rule is effective September 6, 2017. Federal Register, 81 FR 61106 ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA says that on or after September 6, 2017, consumer antiseptic washes containing those ingredients are misbranded and cannot be introduced into interstate commerce without an approved new drug application. US FDA compliance guide ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.