Major microbiological contaminants in infant milk formulas

Abstract

Human milk is the best food for infants. Therefore, artificial milk formulas should only be supplied in specific clinical situations according to medical criteria based on scien­tific evidence and institutional pro­tocols. It is an option under urgent situations, mainly because there are no Human Milk Banks (HMB) in hos­pitals. Other scenarios where milk formulas are prepared and delivered are hospitals, kindergartens, and ho­mes, where handling these activities require hygiene and health care. For many years, this type of milk, inten­ded to replace breast milk, has been challenged for its commercial intent. However, its microbiological con­tents are scarcely referred to. The aim of this review was to contextualize the main microbiological agents in the production of infant milk formu­las such as Salmonella enterica and Cronobacter sakazakii (formerly En­terobacter); emphasizes precautions, from good manufacturing practices (GMP), integrated management sys­tems quality and other processes in the production chain to prevent foo­dborne illness.