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GENERAL NEWS 6 KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW n OCTOBER 2016 n www.kitchenwarenews.com General News FDA Finds Antibacterial Washes No Better than Soap and Water The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final rule establishing that over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic wash products containing certain active ingredients can no longer be marketed. Companies will no longer be able to market antibacterial washes with these ingredients because manufacturers did not demonstrate that the ingredients are both safe for long- term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections. Some manufacturers have already started removing these ingredients from their products. This final rule applies to consumer antiseptic wash products containing one or more of 19 specific active ingredients, including the most commonly used ingredients – triclosan and triclocarban. These products are intended for use with water and are rinsed off after use. This rule does not affect consumer hand sanitizers or wipes, or antibacterial products used in health care settings. "Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., Director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "In fact, some data that suggests antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term." The agency issued a proposed rule in 2013 after some data suggested that long-term exposure to certain active ingredients used in antibacterial products — for example, triclosan (liquid soaps) and triclocarban (bar soaps) — could pose health risks, such as bacterial resistance or hormonal effects. Under the proposed rule, manufacturers were required to provide the agency with additional data on the safety and effectiveness of certain ingredients used in over-the-counter consumer antibacterial washes if they wanted to continue marketing antibacterial products containing those ingredients. This included data from clinical studies demonstrating that these products were superior to non- antibacterial washes in preventing human illness or reducing infection. Antibacterial hand and body wash manufacturers did not provide the necessary data to establish safety and effectiveness for the 19 active ingredients addressed in this final rulemaking. For these ingredients, either no additional data were submitted, or the data and information that were submitted were not sufficient for the agency to find that these ingredients are generally recognized as safe and effective. In response to comments submitted by industry, the FDA has deferred rulemaking for one year on three additional ingredients used in consumer wash products – benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol (PCMX) – to allow for the development and submission of new safety and effectiveness data for these ingredients. Consumer antibacterial washes containing these specific ingredients may be marketed while data are being collected. Washing with plain soap and running water remains one of the most important steps consumers can take to avoid getting sick and to prevent spreading germs to others. If soap and water are not available and a consumer uses hand sanitizer instead, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that it be an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Since the FDA's proposed rulemaking in 2013, manufacturers have already started phasing out the use of certain active ingredients in antibacterial washes, including triclosan and triclocarban. Manufacturers will have one year to comply with the new rule by removing products from the market or reformulating (removing antibacterial active ingredients) these products. KN Chef Harvey Rosen Dies at 80 big role in the memories we hold of shows and the people who made us look forward to going to the markets," added Janis Johnson, President and Founder of Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group. "He will be missed by many." Rosen authored the most comprehensive series of garnishing books ever compiled, used by both home cooks and professionals. Robert Laub, President of HIC, Harold Import Co., recalls a time when dining with him at the Culinary Institute in Napa Valley, when the students recognized him, making their way over to the table with one of his garnishing books in hand to be signed. "Chef Har vey was a hard worker," explained Laub. "But he didn't mind working hard because he was doing it for Robinson Home Products Appoints Ross Patterson President Robinson Home Products ushers in a new era for the company with the promotion of Ross Patterson to President. His successful six-plus year tenure as business director – tabletop at Robinson laid the groundwork for this appointment, with the company enjoying a 40 percent growth in the tabletop category over the past six years. Patterson has already begun supervising Robinson's day- to-day operation and collaborating closely with the company's board of directors to implement key development strategies. In this new role, Patterson will oversee the health and growth of Robinson's core business areas, with key directors reporting into him. Over the past five years, Robinson has evolved dramatically, expanding both owned and licensed brands through innovation in tabletop, tools and gadgets, cutlery, cookware, and bakeware. Patterson will guide the strategic evolution of these critical business areas, fueling Robinson's overall company growth as part of its multi-year business plan. Robinson holds the license for Oneida[R] consumer product categories in the USA, which enjoys an industry-leading position in tabletop, and strong ascending market share across the board in housewares and kitchen products. Former President and CEO Jim Walsh will retain the role of CEO and remain intimately involved in the strategic direction of the company. Says Walsh, "We consider ourselves fortunate that in 2009, when we (cont. from Page 1) his family. His family the most important thing to him." Harvey Rosen is survived by his wife, three sons, and grandchildren. To learn more about Chef Harvey's World of Garnishing, visit chefhar vey.com, or visit the Harold Import Co. website at www.hickitchen.com. KN acquired the license for Oneida Tabletop, we also 'acquired' Ross as part of the deal. His strategic, visionary thinking and sound judgment have been a driving force behind the exponential growth in Oneida Tabletop, and we're delighted to expand his talents into other areas of Robinson's business." Prior to joining Robinson in 2009, Patterson enjoyed a decade-plus tenure at Waterford Wedgwood USA before landing at Oneida Ltd, first as senior marketing manager and later as director of marketing. The rich blend of product development, licensing, and marketing expertise he acquired throughout his career will serve him well as he shepherds Robinson into its accelerated business plan. Says Patterson, "It's an exciting time to be stepping into this role, with the opportunity to harness all the innovation and category growth that Robinson has fostered in recent years. As we continue to evolve into a complete resource for kitchen and dining, we'll bring even greater value to our retail partners who seek to connect with today's discerning customers." Founded in 1921 as Robinson Knife Co., Robinson evolved from a manufacturer of cutlery, kitchen tools, scissors, and fine edged industrial components into an innovative developer and marketer of branded housewares products. Robinson Home Products is an employee-owned company with headquarters in Buffalo, New York. Learn more at www.robinsonus.com. KN Gourmet Catalog Starts Culinary Blog Af ter 35 years of operating in the kitchenware industr y, GC is starting a blog to share culinar y experience with kitchens across the countr y. Entitled "Learning How To Cook," the blog will ser ve up culinar y inspiration and information intended for independent retail owners and end consumers alike. "Since I founded GC in 1981, I have worked to surround myself with talent, and today, I think our team is stronger than ever before," said Janis Johnson, President and Founder of GC Buying Group. " We challenge each other daily and many times arrive at solutions we know will be helpful to our members. We are eager to share those ah-ha moments, favorite recipes, tips and of course, vendor spotlights with our beloved industr y." Content will be posted each weekday related to all things kitchenware, f rom recipes and entertaining to industr y- related better business practices. Tuesday s will be reser ved for professional expertise, extending f rom GC product and vendor reviews to trade show secrets and merchandising tips. For more information, go to www.learninghowtocook.com. KN

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