No crest for the anti-bacterial wave

2007 proves to be a record year for global anti-bacterial launchesHeightened levels of ‘germphobia’ have given rise to a huge influx of new products developed to sanitize home, work and public places.According to the MINTEL Global New Products Database (GNPD), new introductions of ‘anti-bacterial’ non-food products increased from fewer than 200 worldwide in 2003 to some 1,610 in 2006 – an impressive 713% growth. Already this year, we have seen over 1,650 anti-bacterial products launch globally, as manufacturers continue to play on consumer fears about germs.