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Cronobacter ('Enterobacter sakazakii'): current status and future prospects

J W Chenu1, J M Cox

  • 1Food Science and Technology, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Letters in Applied Microbiology
|June 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cronobacter, formerly Enterobacter sakazakii, is an emerging pathogen found in milk powder. This review covers its food safety, risks to neonates, and management in powdered infant formula production.

Area of Science:

  • Food Safety
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cronobacter spp. are emerging opportunistic pathogens, previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii.
  • These bacteria are occasional contaminants of milk powder, posing a significant health risk to neonates through powdered infant formula.
  • Understanding Cronobacter is crucial for infant health and food safety regulations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the food safety of Cronobacter, with a specific focus on powdered infant formula.
  • To discuss sources of contamination, the ecology of Cronobacter, and its disease characteristics.
  • To outline risk management strategies and identify future research directions for controlling Cronobacter in production environments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications on Cronobacter.
  • Synthesis of information regarding contamination sources, bacterial ecology, and pathogenicity.
  • Analysis of existing and proposed risk management strategies in food production.

Main Results:

  • Cronobacter represents a significant health risk, particularly to vulnerable neonates, via contaminated powdered infant formula.
  • Key areas of concern include contamination sources, environmental persistence, and transmission routes.
  • Effective risk management requires a multi-faceted approach throughout the production process.

Conclusions:

  • Cronobacter is a critical food safety concern in powdered infant formula, necessitating stringent control measures.
  • Further research is needed to enhance management strategies and minimize the risk of contamination in production environments.
  • Continued vigilance and scientific investigation are essential to protect infant health from Cronobacter infections.

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