ST. LOUIS, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- On Oct. 20, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Non Prescription Drug Advisory Committee met to review the benefits and hazards of antiseptic products marketed for consumer antibacterial hand and body washes, prior to voting on the products’ regulation. As a part of the meeting, the committee recognized that the active ingredient ethyl alcohol at a 62 percent level provides for safe and effective antibacterial protection in hand sanitizer gel products such as Germ-X® hand sanitizer, manufactured by Vi-Jon Laboratories in St. Louis.

A key chemical in question by the FDA is triclosan and whether or not it is effective in eliminating and preventing bacteria and meeting environmental standards. Germ-X hand sanitizer is an alcohol-based hand gel that does not contain triclosan. During the session on Oct. 20, the FDA Advisory Committee concluded that in lieu of readily available soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a sensible and recommended alternative. Multiple presenters to the committee cited the benefits of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, seeking that these products be removed from the antibacterial hand soap review.

Dr. Sally Bloomfield, PhD., International Scientific Forum of Home Hygiene, concluded in her speech to the committee, "Alcohol-based hand sanitizer provides an effective alternative in situations where soap and water are not available. Based on their safety and lack of antimicrobial resistance, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are appropriate for use in consumer settings."

The benefits of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in certain situations have also been noted by the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

"We are confident that alcohol-based products, such as Germ-X hand sanitizer are effective, safe and environmentally friendly," said Tom Marren, vice president of Technical Services at Vi-Jon Laboratories. "Consumers should feel completely confident that using Germ-X is safe and beneficial in helping to prevent the spread of germs and other bacteria that can lead to illness. We are proud of our products and continually adhere to the highest level of health standards."

For more information, Vi-Jon invites consumers to visit the Germ-X Web site at http://www.GermX.com to find details about products and links to key health sites that provide independent information on the benefits of hand sanitizers.

SOURCE Vi-Jon Laboratories, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.GermX.com

Editor's Notes: Germ-X® is produced by Vi-Jon, a St. Louis-based personal care products manufacturer, distributing a full range of products to the nation’s largest mass-market retailers, food stores and distributors and drug store chains.