Triclocarban wasn’t dangerous at the time we approved Camel Antiseptic soap - GMA

The Assistant General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has clarified that the Camel Antiseptic soap which contains the triclocarban, was scientifically proven to be safe to human health at the time it was approved by the association.

He made the statement on June 1, 2020, in reaction to reports that the association has recommended the product containing the triclocarban; an antibacterial and fungi agent, which has recently been declared by scientists and the World Health Organization to be injurious to human health.

“We have endorsed PZ Cussons and their products. And we also do independent analysis. It wasn’t like that before. It’s just a new report that may be suggesting that it is harmful,” he said.

Dr. Beyuo, speaking to GhanaWeb in the exclusive interview, also stated that the company has decided to take the products off the market upon realization that the constituent, the triclocarbon is unsafe for human health.

“The company took notice of that, took their own decision and have decided that in new productions, they will not even add it again. But it takes time for it to leave the market. The company on its own have decided subsequently that they wanted to take out that component from their product because these are very new reports that are showing that the chemical may not be helpful,” he added.

He concluded that the products were also certified by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), so if it had harmful constituents at the time they were certified, the body would have not given them the authorization to operate.

“Every product of theirs that we have endorsed has been certified by the FDA. None of their products have not been registered by the FDA. It’s not like a dangerous chemical that have always been there,” he said.