I've never really been one for hand sanitizer, but I have a good friend who puts it on every hour. I never saw the point in it. And I was right to think so.
Within the past few weeks, according to THV.com, the FDA has sent letters to four hand sanitizing manufacturers
(Tec Laboratories, JD Nelson and Associates, Dr. G.H. Tichener Antiseptic Co. and Oh So Clean Inc.) warning them to stop "making unsupported claims about the bacteria-fighting benefits of their products" (par. 1). For a company to claim that their products can prevent certain infections and diseases, they must first submit scientific evidence to support that claim before they can market the product (par. 2). These companies claimed that their products can prevent infections such as E. coli and the bird flu, but they have not given the FDA the scientific evidence to support that claim. The FDA has given them fifteen days to come up with the evidence or change their claims. According the stltoday.com, these claims are fraudulent and the FDA goes so far as to advise consumers not to even "buy over-the-counter hand sanitizers or other products that claim to prevent infection from MRSA, E. coli, salmonella, flu, or other bacteria or viruses" (par. 4). Although E. coli and the bird flu are, well, not really rare but not as thought of as other infections, they are very serious infections and if a company tells me that their product can protect me from them, they better mean it and have scientific proof.
Photo Courtesy of: PNASH
Sources:
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/154245/119/FDA-issues-warnings-to-4-hand-sanitizer-companies-
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/health/article_e20ae33a-6b93-11e0-883d-0019bb30f31a.html
Dear Corporation Roles,
ReplyDeleteI was immediately attracted to this blog because of the picture of hand sanitizer. I'm not exactly a fan of hand sanitizer either, I believe that we as humans have a natural immunity, and we don't need hand sanitizers' help.
"These companies claimed that their products can prevent infections such as E. coli and the bird flu, but they have not given the FDA the scientific evidence to support that claim." This makes me wonder how hand sanitizers are even allowed on a shelf. Let alone, in schools and other public places. If hand sanitizers want to be effective, they should make sure that they have the facts to prove it to their customers.
"Although E. coli and the bird flu are, well, not really rare but not as thought of as other infections, they are very serious infections and if a company tells me that their product can protect me from them, they better mean it and have scientific proof." I completely agree with this statement, and companies should definitely make sure that their products are for the betterment of their customers. I think that some major corporations get so caught up in making money that they don't even care when the products don't better their customers' lives.
Thank you for this blog post! I learned something new, and I am curious to see what happens to the hand sanitizing companies. I will be back to look at your interesting blogs!
Bunting
Dear Mallory,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting blog. My mom uses sanitizer religiously and I never really understood. But your right, if it says its going to fight disease and bacteria it better should.
"These companies claimed that their products can prevent infections such as E. coli and the bird flu, but they have not given the FDA the scientific evidence to support that claim." This shocked me, who do these people think they are trying to pull one over on us? You did a lot of really good research.
"The FDA has given them fifteen days to come up with the evidence or change their claims." They should have given them less than that. That company shouldn't have even promised those benefits of using their hand sanitizer.
Thank you for writting such an interesting blog. I'm glad I chose to read this one because I learned a lot from it and I will definitely be back for more.
oryx