Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
Published on: February 7, 2025
Reducing the risk for formula-fed infants: examining the guidelines
1VELB European Institute for Breastfeeding and Lactation, Kramsach, Austria. elizhorman@aol.com
Insights
Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula poses a risk to infants. Boiling water to 70°C when reconstituting formula is critical to eliminate bacteria and ensure infant safety.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Outbreaks of Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula (PIF) challenged the perceived safety of artificial infant feeding.
- These incidents prompted international health organizations to address bacterial contamination risks in PIF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causes of Enterobacter sakazakii contamination in PIF.
- To develop guidelines for minimizing infant exposure to bacterial contaminants in PIF.
Main Methods:
- Convening Expert Meetings by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization.
- Analyzing contamination sources and risk reduction strategies for PIF.
Main Results:
- Reducing contamination at the manufacturing level could solve approximately 80% of the issue.
- Reconstituting PIF with water boiled and cooled to at least 70°C is essential for bacterial inactivation.
Conclusions:
- The risk of bacterial contamination in PIF necessitates stringent safety measures.
- Recommendations for PIF preparation, including thermal inactivation, are crucial for infant protection.
Abstract:
Early in this century, outbreaks of Enterobacter sakazakii among infants fed on powdered infant formula in Western Europe and the United States forced a rethinking of the cherished belief that artificial feeding is a very safe choice for infants in the developed world. Alarmed by these reports, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization convened an Expert Meeting in 2004 to determine the causes and again in 2006 to develop guidelines for reducing the risk to infants from intrinsic bacterial contamination in powdered infant formula. Reducing the frequency of contamination at the manufacturing level would eliminate about 80 percent of the problem. Reconstituting the formula with water boiled and cooled to no less than 70 degrees C is critical to destroy remaining bacteria. Arguments from the infant formula industry, some segments of the medical community, and some Western countries against this "lethal step" trivialize the scope and severity of the problem and ignore clear scientific evidence.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Development of Human Microbiota
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

