September 23, 2014
The European Commission is considering the need to reassess the safe use of the preservative chlorhexidine in mouthwash, according to a response by the EU Consumers' Commissioner Neven Mimica published in the Official Journal.
Mimica’s statement came following concerns raised by two members of the European Parliament over a study by British researchers, which flagged potential health risks associated with the use of the substance in antibacterial mouthwash.
Currently, chlorhexidine is allowed as a preservative in cosmetics at a maximum concentration of 0.3%. A reassessment would be carried out by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).