How widespread is bacterial contamination of powdered infant formula?

[3Cherubs]

The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization have therefore issued the warning that: "Powdered infant formula is not sterile. It may contain bacteria that can cause serious illness in infants..."

...The US Food and Drug Administration mandates monitoring for Enterobacter and Salmonella species. However, new research published in January 2010 in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests that these may not be the only bacteria of concern in PIF. After an infant in the UK developed infant botulism caused by infant formula that was contaminated by Clostridium botulinum, researchers in California conducted a two-year series of tests for bacterial contamination of powdered formulas manufactured in the USA...

...As the authors of the study state "It has been determined that PIF is not a sterile product and that making it sterile is not feasible". What is of further concern to parents is that the contaminated infant formula products found in the study were manufactured and used in the USA, where conditions of storage and use of powdered infant formula may be of a high standard...

...Clostridium botulinum is one of the spore-producing bacteria in the genus Clostridium and produces the protein toxin botulism, one of the most potent poisons known. Clostridia can multiply in the infant's gut and cause infant botulism, the intestinal toxemia form of botulism: the toxins are absorbed and cause neuromuscular blockade.

Full article HERE.

 

[loopy loulou]

Just to make us all worry and feel guilty even more! Thanks !

Think I'm just going to remortgage and stick to ready made cartons! Although I'll probably find out these are going to make my baby ill too....

Arrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Mindfield....

 

[OmarsMum]

Just to make us all worry and feel guilty even more! Thanks !

Think I'm just going to remortgage and stick to ready made cartons! Although I'll probably find out these are going to make my baby ill too....

Arrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Mindfield....

Those tins have been there forever! if we need to worry about every single research, we'll end up feeding our babies NOTHING!

I knw some ppl who sterilize their baby bottles in cooking Tefal pans which they use for cooking as well, & most of my friends dont even think it's necessary to use hand sanitizer before preparing bottles or baby food. Some use their spoons to feed their babies & if their babies drop their dummy on the floor, they just wash it with tab water & give it back to their babies.

We have to take precautions, but worrying alot will turn our lives into nightmares I think. If this research is true, we will see 80% of the population in hospitals as at a certain stage we all had milk frm tins when we were young.

 

[Nic1107]

This section is for FF support. Not IBFAN articles about how we're endandering our children.

 

[3Cherubs]

I just thought if the contamination was widespread a FF mother would want to know. Knowledge is power. Guilt comes from within, no one can make you feel guilty. I do apologize if that was anyone's initial reaction. It was completely not my intention.

 

[special_kala]

what was the point in this exactly?

 

[Floralaura]

I just thought if the contamination was widespread a FF mother would want to know. Knowledge is power. Guilt comes from within, no one can make you feel guilty. I do apologize if that was anyone's initial reaction. It was completely not my intention.

Thast not what it looks like!

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Hang on a minute - everyone should know that! That's why you should add powder to water about 70 degrees, to kill said bacteria. When they say it's not possible to make it sterile, they mean the manufacturing process, not the preparation of feeds!

 

[xpinkness87x]

i dont see the point?

 

[special_kala]

So a BF mother comes into the FF section posting a article about how we are poisoning our children and your intention wasnt to make us feel guilty?

How lovely for the women in here who desperately wanted to BF but couldn't to read eh?

 

[special_kala]

Hang on a minute - everyone should know that! That's why you should add powder to water about 70 degrees, to kill said bacteria. When they say it's not possible to make it sterile, they mean the manufacturing process, not the preparation of feeds!

I cant see where it says that its just in the manufacturing process, it just says its not even feasible to make it sterile.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I'm sorry, but I really think people are missing the point here.

The risk outlined here is not from formula full stop, but incorrectly prepared formula.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Hang on a minute - everyone should know that! That's why you should add powder to water about 70 degrees, to kill said bacteria. When they say it's not possible to make it sterile, they mean the manufacturing process, not the preparation of feeds!

I cant see where it says that its just in the manufacturing process, it just says its not even feasible to make it sterile.

It doesn't say that, no, which is why I think people have mistaken it for being anti-formula. But is definitely true that mixing powder with water above 70 degrees will kill the bacteria which may be present.

 

[special_kala]

Is that in the full article as i honestly cant see where it states that its just in the making of it

 

[xpinkness87x]

i was told by MW and HV that cow and gate can be made up at room temp? as i was told leaving it in the fridge could case bacteria to grow?

but i dont think we should be arguing because some one has posted something like this... its most prob what she wants!

 

[special_kala]

posted at same time Claire. I know that about using hot water to make it sterile but that quote makes out like nothing will make is sterile.

Ill go read the main one now

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I am sure moest FF mum know this. Why come on as a BF mother and post it. Most women research and ask how to make up bottles safely.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I've not read the whole of the article - but this is taken from the WHO website:


powdered infant formula (PIF) has been associated with serious illness and death in infants due to infections with Enterobacter sakazakii. During production, PIF can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica. This is because, using current manufacturing technology, it is not feasible to produce sterile PIF. During the preparation of PIF, inappropriate handling practices can exacerbate the problem.

Recognizing the need to address such hazards in PIF, Codex Alimentarius decided to revise the Recommended International Code of Hygienic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children. In doing so it requested specific scientific advice from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). FAO and WHO have provided this advice in the reports of two expert meetings held in 2004 and 2006 on Enterobacter sakazakii and other microorganisms in PIF. Part of this advice included a recommendation to develop guidelines for the preparation, use and handling of PIF.

In 2005 the World Health Assembly (WHA) of WHO requested the Organization to develop such guidelines in order to minimize the risk to infants.

These present guidelines are considered to be a generic document that will provide guidance and support for countries and governments. When adapted at the country level, conditions (i.e. climatic and socioeconomic differences, etc.) within the country should be reflected. Individual countries should outline minimum training requirements for parents, caregivers, and staff in hospitals and day-care centres.

 

[Nic1107]

Yes, it is important that FF parents know how to properly make up a bottle to minimize the risks of contamination. But that article was completely unhelpful and offered no instructions on preparing formula- unsurprising as the website it comes from is militantly pro-BF exclusively. It's not helpful just to "let us know", and definitely came across as an attempt at conversion.

 

[3Cherubs]

Hang on a minute - everyone should know that! That's why you should add powder to water about 70 degrees, to kill said bacteria. When they say it's not possible to make it sterile, they mean the manufacturing process, not the preparation of feeds!

This!

So a BF mother comes into the FF section posting a article about how we are poisoning our children and your intention wasnt to make us feel guilty?

How lovely for the women in here who desperately wanted to BF but couldn't to read eh?

What leads you to assume that I have never FF?