Contaminants In Baby Foods

• 
  Manufacturers fail to warn product users about the possibility of intrinsic contamination of powdered milk formulas by harmful bacteria. These bacteria can cause infection in babies and young children.  Manufacturers must inform about the extra precautions to be taken to avoid this risk. Are the bacteria in powdered formulas friendly or unfriendly?

• 
  What do we really know about probiotic bacteria and prebiotics added to formulas? Are the promotional claims made by manufacturers justified? Why are these claims banned in many countries? Frequently Asked Questions about Prebiotics and Probiotics

LATEST NEWS:

• 
  December 2017 –  Lactalis scandal in France goes global 
  The scandal of powdered baby milk products contaminated by harmful bacteria erupted in France in December 2017 and rapidly went global. 

  Infant, follow-on and growing up milk powders were manufactured by the French company Lactalis at their manufacturing site in France which also produces powdered baby milks and cereals for export. Some batches were contaminated by Salmonella enterica serotype Agona which can cause serious illness in infants and young children, a vulnerable population. 

  In France 35 babies under 1 year of age fell sick after consuming the products. The French government mandated the withdrawal of potentially contaminated products, not only in France but also in 20 and then in 40 countries. 

  By January 2018 the withdrawals and seizures involved all powdered milk and cereal products manufactured by the Lactalis company in 83 countries, and from all pharmacies, supermarkets, hospitals and crèches.  

  The International Baby Food Action Network, IBFAN, is working with groups all over the world to ensure that governments fully inform their citizens and enforce and monitor strict controls on imports and sales of the incriminated products. 

  Since 2005, IBFAN has been campaigning for warnings on labels of powdered baby milks.  New safety advice by WHO and FAO states that these products are not sterile and may be contaminated with pathogens that can cause serious illness. Extra precautions must be taken in preparation, storage and handling to reduce the risk. These Guidelines for infant formula are also relevant for powdered follow-on and growing up milks because these products are also included in the Lactalis withdrawals: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/document_centre/PIF_Bottle_en.pdf 
  
   

• 
  June 2016 – Fatal case of bacterial infection in formula-fed baby in the USA increases urgency of circulating correct information about harmful bacteria 
  
   
• 
  2016 alert by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the risks of harmful bacteria in formulas: Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii : ‘Refreshed warning’ of the risks to infant health 
  
   
• 
  2015 measures to ensure safer feeding for babies who cannot be breastfed: What are the risks of contaminated or adulterated formulas and how effective are different measures to address the problems of product safety and quality? “ How to tackle the problems of safety and quality of formula: examining effective measures ”  https://ibfan.org/docs/2015-US-Government-Rule-of-2014.pdf

​ 

• 
  Measures taken by Governments to reduce the risk of bacterial infection caused by contamination 
  • 
    Enfamil Newborn powdered formula has been linked to cases of severe infection in 4 states in the USA, but methods of testing for these bacteria are inadequate, even in industrialised countries. No breastfed infants have contracted the infection, said the head of the state health department in Missouri.
  • 
     Government Action on Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii infections.

• 
  Latest reports confirm bacterial contamination of formula and raise concerns over increasing antibiotic resistance among members of the Enterobacter family
  • 
    The prevalence of contamination of powdered formulas by dangerous pathogens is confirmed by this study in China, and the concern about antibiotic resistance is raised 
  • 
    Presence of pathogenic bacteria in powdered formula consumed in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, NICUs
  • 
    Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii infections: Time for ActionArticle published on the March issue of “Middle East Food” – April 20 2012
  • 
    Manufacturers recognize the problem of storage of baby food and infant formula at the correct temperature : IBFAN comment and questions
  • 
    What do we know about chemical compounds in formulas: are they safe ? 

Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii infections: There is every reason why governments and industry must take action

• 
  How Safe are Infant Formulas? (By JP Dadhich) , 2006
• 
  Do you know that powdered baby milks or formulas, even in sealed and unopened packets, are not sterile products?
• 
  How widespread is bacterial contamination of powdered infant formula?
• 
  Reports and briefings on Contaminants in Baby Foods (and Product Recall List)