Food Safety
Infant formula comes in three forms
Ready to feed formula is the safest, bacteriologically speaking. It is pasteurized, placed in sterile containers, sealed and packaged for sale. It is also the most expensive and takes up a lot of inventory space. Except in special circumstances is not available for WIC eligible families.
Liquid concentrate- is the next safest. It can be pasteurized. However, food safety concerns arise when the cleanliness of mixing containers/utensils and the potability of the water used to dilute the formula come into play.
Powdered - cannot be pasteurized. It is made in clean environments, but the potential for insect or microbial contamination is present. Safety concerns continue when like liquid concentrate mixing containers/utensils and water sources come into play.
MMWR (2009) Cronobacter spp.(formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) in powdered infant formula
MMWR (1993) Salmonella serotype Tennessee
The FDA addresses food safety on its consumer pages and example is Hand Hygeine and Formula Preparation
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- Ready to feed
- Liquid Concentrate
- Powder
Ready to feed formula is the safest, bacteriologically speaking. It is pasteurized, placed in sterile containers, sealed and packaged for sale. It is also the most expensive and takes up a lot of inventory space. Except in special circumstances is not available for WIC eligible families.
Liquid concentrate- is the next safest. It can be pasteurized. However, food safety concerns arise when the cleanliness of mixing containers/utensils and the potability of the water used to dilute the formula come into play.
Powdered - cannot be pasteurized. It is made in clean environments, but the potential for insect or microbial contamination is present. Safety concerns continue when like liquid concentrate mixing containers/utensils and water sources come into play.
MMWR (2009) Cronobacter spp.(formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) in powdered infant formula
MMWR (1993) Salmonella serotype Tennessee
The FDA addresses food safety on its consumer pages and example is Hand Hygeine and Formula Preparation
Back Next
