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Answer: Triclosan is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: antibacterial soap, toothpaste, deodorant.
TL;DR: Triclosan is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (endocrine disruptors).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Triclosan. CAS 3380-34-5.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | antibacterial soap, toothpaste, deodorant |
| CAS number | 3380-34-5 |
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
An endocrine disruptor linked to antibiotic resistance. Restricted in the EU and banned in US over-the-counter antibacterial soaps, but still allowed in some products.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Triclosanwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Triclosan is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Triclosan can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Triclosan automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Triclosan.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Triclosan or other ingredients banned overseas.
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