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Time for the 70°C water precautionary option in the home dilution of powdered infant formula
Marco Silano1, Paola Paganin2,3, Riccardo Davanzo4
1Unit of Human Nutrition and Health, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. marco.silano@iss.it.
Insights
Preventing infant illness from powdered formula requires careful preparation. Using hot water at 70°C to reconstitute powdered infant formula (PIF) effectively prevents harmful Cronobacter contamination and growth in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Powdered infant formulas (PIF) can be contaminated with bacteria like Cronobacter species.
- Cronobacter infections pose a severe risk, causing sepsis and meningitis in infants, with up to an 80% mortality rate.
- Proper handling and dilution of PIF are crucial for infant safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the optimal water temperature for diluting PIF.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for preventing Cronobacter contamination during PIF preparation.
- To address the controversy surrounding PIF dilution water temperature.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific studies and guidelines on PIF preparation and bacterial contamination.
- Analysis of data regarding the efficacy of different water temperatures in eliminating Cronobacter.
- Synthesis of expert opinions from scientific societies and health agencies.
Main Results:
- There is ongoing debate regarding the optimal water temperature for PIF dilution.
- Evidence supports the use of hot water at 70°C for PIF dilution.
- This temperature is effective in preventing Cronobacter contamination and growth.
Conclusions:
- The use of hot water at 70°C for PIF dilution is cautiously recommended.
- This measure is vital for preventing serious infections in newborns and preterm infants.
- Adherence to safe preparation practices minimizes the risk of Cronobacter-related illnesses.
Abstract:
Powdered infant formulas (PIF) are usually not sterile and may frequently be contaminated by several bacteria strains. Among them, Cronobacter species, previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii, is one of the most harmful, since it might be the causative agent of sepsis and meningitis in newborns and preterm infants during the first weeks of life. The mortality rate of these infections is up to 80 %. Therefore, some precautions are required in the home handling and dilution of PIF. Whereas there is wide consensus about the need that a PIF should be used immediately after being diluted or, if not, stored at < "5 °C", still recently the optimal temperature of the water used to dilute PIF is controversial among scientific societies and health agencies. The current knowledge is reviewed in this paper and provides sufficient evidence to cautiously advise the use of hot water at a temperature of "70 °C" in the dilution of PIF in order to prevent the Cronobacter sp. contamination and growth.
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