The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a press release that its new proposal shows antibacterial soaps are not effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water and could pose an even higher risk to consumers, according to a report by the Christian Science Monitor.

Instead of the expected help antibacterial soaps promise, the FDA announcement said that they could be even more harmful is used in the long, thus outweighing its intended benefits. According to Colleen Rogers, lead microbiologist at the FDA, there are certain ingredients in antibacterial soaps that may contribute bacterial immunity to antibiotics. The FDA is worried that antibacterial soaps may have unanticipated hormonal effects.

However, the FDA's new proposal does not include to hand wipes, hand sanitizers, or antibacterial soaps used in medical settings, but instead applies to what it categorized as "over-the-counter" antibacterial soaps, which contains chemical ingredients not found in plain soaps.

One of the chemical ingredients added in antibacterial soaps described in the proposal is triclosam. According to the FDA study, triclosan was found to alter the way hormones work when used on animals in a lab setting. They also found that the chemical can contribute to make the bacteria strong enough to resist antibiotics. This change in bacteria configuration could make medical treatment less effective, the Monitor said.

With its new proposal, the FDA has asked the help and comments of consumers, environmental groups, clinicians, industry representatives and other interested groups. Those interested in weighing in the proposal are given 180 days to comment.

Companies selling the antibacterial soaps are expected to provide data to support their products before the new FDA proposal could be finalized. Otherwise, companies will be required to reformulate or re-label their products.

The FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency are closely working together to ensure government-wide consistency in regulating triclosan, the Monitor said.