The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned Procter & Gamble over unlawful marketing claims regarding a hand sanitizing product for children.
No significant health risks have been found by the FDA, however, it has stated that P&G's Vicks Early Defense Foaming Hand Sanitizer (Early Defense) product has not been proven safe and therefore does not have evidence to back up claims that the product 'prevents colds and provides up to three hours of antimicrobial activity'.
“FDA is concerned with the marketing of this over-the-counter drug for use by school children and others” said Steven K Galson, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
“Over the counter (OTC) drugs are often widely used without supervision by a doctor or other health care professional, so it is essential that manufacturers obtain FDA approval or fully comply with OTC monographs and agency policies,” he continued.
P&G alleges that the claims are legitimate and do comply with FDA regulations.
In a former press release the FDA states that antimicrobial products containing triclosan must be labelled to instruct consumers to rinse off with water after use.
The P&G product, which contains triclosan, states that it can be left on hands when soap and water are not available.