WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Studies show washes with antibacterial soaps are not more effective than with ordinary soaps and water in preventing infections, an advisory panel of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded Thursday.

    The panel voted 11-1 that washes with antibacterial soaps do not work better than plain soaps. It warned manufacturers they would have to provide scientific evidence to support claims that their products can eliminate 99 percent of germs with the ingredients of synthetic chemicals.

    Experts in the panel also noted that the use of antibacterial soaps could contribute to the growth of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, urging the FDA to do studies to weigh the products' risks against benefits.

    Excessive use of the antibacterial soaps has been a source of concern for doctors and other experts who compare this to the overuse of antibiotic medicines.

    The FDA has been grappling with the antibacterial soap issue since 1972, and it has yet to make a final decision on how to regulate such over-the-counter products.

    The agency usually follows the advice by its panels. It could take actions ranging from changing product labels and restricting marketing claims to removing the products from the market. Enditem