Colgate-Palmolive has been hit with another class action product liability lawsuit claiming it lied to consumers that its Softsoap Antibacterial liquid hand soap is being better at killing germs than ordinary soap, when the product’s active ingredient does not kill more germs and may in fact be dangerous.

According to the Softsoap Antibacterial soap class action lawsuit, filed in New Jersey federal court, Colgate-Palmolive falsely advertises the product as being “more effective at eliminating germs, protecting the consumer from germs, and thus preventing illness and promoting good health, than washing with ordinary liquid hand soaps.”

However, according to the Softsoap Antibacterial class action lawsuit, the product is no more effective at killing germs than other soaps that do not have anti-bacterial agents. The class action lawsuit cites several studies that have found that Tricolsan – Softsoap’s primary active ingredient – is not only ineffective at killing more germs than other soaps but also potentially increases the risk of certain cancers.

Triclosan was originally developed as a pesticide before it eventually became sued as surgical scrub as well. It was the target of a similar class action lawsuit filed in 2010 against the Dial Corporation for allegedly falsely advertising the germ-killing benefits of Dial Complete liquid hand soap, which also contains Triclosan.

 

Colgate-Palmolive has been hit with similar class action lawsuits in Illinois and Nevada accusing the company of falsely advertising the germ-killing power of its Softsoap Antibacterial hand soap as superior to other, less expensive liquid hand soap products.