Just because a scientific term has a real biological meaning doesn’t mean you should ignore the way it works as a “buzzword” as well. When a major government agency starts sounding the warning bells on a certain brand of product, it can have implications on multiple levels of consumer behavior.
The most recent target of the FDA is the category of “anti-bacterial” soaps. These are a very common type of hygiene product, but according to a press release from earlier this month, the government is considering the potentially dangerous affects of using this kind of cleaning product long term on humans. In a way, it seems to be hand-in-hand with the concern previously shown by federal authorities on antibiotics in animals feed.
Interestingly, the FDA does not seem to be throwing out this term altogether, and still encourages people to wash their hands in order to fight disease. However, it is offering up a “comment period” of 180 days in order to discuss its potential policy, which would supposedly “require manufacturers to provide more substantial data to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.” The main “ingredient of concern” in these soaps is called triclosan, a compound also used in pesticides.
Can you design custom labels that answer to a more complex problem like this? They could be, especially when “anti-bacterial” has the ability to wind up on a cosmetic label as well. Keep your products categorized correctly with a printer that can place key words in a prominent area, or be used to correct your approach at the drop of a hat.
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