The nation’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday reiterated that cleansing soap products categorized as cosmetics should not be advertised as “germ-killing” products.
The agency made the remarks in response to a recent proposed rule by the US FDA requiring manufacturers of antibacterial soaps to prove the products are more effective in preventing disease than plain soap and water.
The US FDA on Monday said it was taking a closer look at antibacterial soaps, citing new data suggesting that their long-term use might contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics and might have unanticipated hormonal effects, which are potential health risks that may outweigh the products’ benefits.
The US concern stems from the wide use of triclosan as a chemical ingredient in antibacterial soaps. Animal studies have shown that triclosan may alter the way hormones work in the body.
Taiwan’s FDA categorizes cleansing products as either “germ-killing, over-the-counter drugs” or “cleansing cosmetics” according to the products’ intended use.
The agency reiterated that health authorities had pronounced in March that cosmetic products should not be labeled as “germ-killing” or tout the ability to prevent, avoid or strengthen protection against infection lest consumers be misled into thinking that they have a therapeutic effect or are used by specialists to treat particular diseases.
Hand sanitizers or medicinal soaps that claim to kill germs should comply with the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (藥事法) on safety, effectiveness and quality.
Meanwhile, antibacterial soaps for skin cleansing that are considered cosmetic products should comply with the Statute for Control of Cosmetic Hygiene (化妝品衛生管理條例), it said. Cleansing products that contain any of the 21 active ingredients for antiseptic use listed in the statute can be labeled “antibacterial,” it added.
Triclosan is among the 21 ingredients, it said, while adding that its use in cosmetic products is also allowed in the EU, Canada and the US at a limit of 0.3 percent.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS