Recently, soap has been in the headlines. According to some press reports, the Millennial generation has doubts about the "cleanliness" of using bar soaps – yet the FDA recently ruled against the need for antibacterial soaps, citing that soap is naturally antibacterial.
In September, the FDA banned several key ingredients used in antibacterial soaps, "the data and information submitted….are insufficient to demonstrate that there is any additional benefit…in consumer antiseptic wash products compared to non-antibacterial soap and water."(1)
According to Ed George, Vice President of Research and Development at Bradford Soap Works for over 40 years, bar soap is inherently antibacterial through both its physical and chemical nature; therefore no testing for microbes during the manufacturing process is required. The company has never experienced an issue with the bacterial contamination of soap. On the contrary, with regards to modern day body wash, it is necessary to conduct micro testing at several points during the manufacturing process. The products are required to be inoculated with preservative chemicals in order to stem the development of bacteria.
According to Bradford bar soaps are healthier for the body than body washes and they are also much more environmentally friendly. In several studies and clinical research tests, bar soaps have come out on top.
In a large nationwide study of public bathroom liquid soap systems, conducted by the University of Arizona, it was found that in 25% of cases there were high levels of bacterial contamination.
According to Cambridge University, bar soaps do not support the growth of bacteria under normal usage. In fact, bacteria cannot be transferred from person to person through the use of bar soaps, and washing hands with soap bars frequently prevents the spread of disease. Further, bar soaps are healthier for the body than liquid soap as they are naturally paraben free and they don’t contain sulfates.
The use of bar soap versus body wash is also an act of conservation. They use less packaging than body wash and the product is much lighter and more compact to ship due to the lower water content.
About Bradford
Founded in 1876,Bradford is a manufacturer of specialty personal care products. State-of-the-art development laboratories provide custom formulations, product development and testing services. It was the first U.S. bar soap manufacturer to receive organic certification; it has certification from the Rainforest Alliance; and it is a member of the Roundtable For Sustainable Palm Oil. The company is headquartered in Rhode Island, with facilities in Indiana, California and Mexicali, Mexico.
(1 )Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics; Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use, AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS, [FR Doc. 2016-21337 Filed: 9/2/2016 8:45 am; Publication Date: 9/6/2016]