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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) recently conducted a targeted food surveillance to assess the situation of Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula.
"Enterobacter sakazakii can be found in the environment, but it generally causes disease only in people with weakened immune systems. Enterobacter sakazakii can cause invasive infection such as bacteria in blood or brain infection. Pre-term infants, neonates (28 days old or below), infants less than 2 months of age, low-birth-weight infants (below 2.5 kg) and infants with weakened immunity, are at greater risk," a CFS spokesman said today (December 21).
¡@¡@In view of this, the centre collected 100 samples of powdered infant formula from the local market for testing of Enterobacter sakazakii. The samples, which involve 17 different brands, are from different countries. All results were satisfactory.
¡@¡@"The World Health Organisation recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. For those who are not breastfed, risk of infection can be greatly reduced by correctly preparing and storing the powdered infant formula. Reconstitution of powdered infant formula with water that is no less than 70 degrees Celsius can significantly inactivate Enterobacter sakazakii. Feeds prepared in advance should be cooled immediately after preparation, stored in a refrigerator and used within 24 hours of preparation. Reconstituted feed should be re-warmed, no more than 15 minutes, immediately before feeding," the spokesman said.
¡@¡@"For high-risk infants who cannot be breastfed, caregivers should use commercially sterile liquid formula," he added.
¡@¡@The spokesman also urged the trade to implement preventive measures (such as good manufacturing practice) as well as monitoring and environmental management programmes to reduce the risk of product contamination.
Ends/Monday, December 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:28
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