AP: Minnesota bans use of anti-bacterial ingredient triclosan beginning in 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton last week signed a bill that will prohibit the use of the antibacterial ingredient triclosan in consumer hygiene products beginning Jan. 1, 2017, according to an Associated Press report published Monday. The ingredient is widely used as a germ-killing ingredient in soaps, deodorants and toothpaste. 

It will make the state the first to ban the ingredient, according to the report. The Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing the ingredient's safety profile. Sponsor Sen. John Marty on Monday predicted that "the odds are good that most manufacturers will phase out triclosan by [Jan. 1, 2017]," the AP reported.

Citing FDA estimates, the AP reported that triclosan is used in an estimated 75% of antibacterial liquid soaps and body washes. While triclosan hasn't been shown to be hazardous to humans, studies have raised concerns that it can disrupt hormones critical for reproduction and development, at least in lab animals, and contribute to the development of resistant bacteria.

"Some manufacturers have announced plans over the last couple years to at least partially phase out triclosan," the AP reported. "Procter & Gamble plans to finish dropping the chemical from its products this year. Johnson & Johnson plans to eliminate it from all its consumer products by 2015."