Aims: To determine the prevalence of Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) in follow-on formula powders commercially available in European countries.
Methods and results: A total of 470 samples comprising 31 different products from 18 brand names belonging to seven companies were tested for the presence of Cronobacter species. No milk- or soy-based infant formula powders were found to contain Cronobacter species. However, two cereal-based infant drinks were positive for Cronobacter sakazakii. A review of the published cases spanning the past 48 years did not reveal any fatalities attributable to Cronobacter spp. in children over 3 months.
Conclusions: The low incidence of Cronobacter in infant powdered drinks, the lack of fatal Cronobacter infections in infants greater than 3 months and the low incidence of Cronobacter-related reported illness in this age group indicated that ingestion of these products presents a low risk for the intended consumers.
Significance and impact of the study: The risk posed to neonates from the consumption of infant formula contaminated with Cronobacter is clear. Risks associated with powdered follow-on formulae intended for consumption by older infants is now under consideration by the World Health Organization. Our data contributes to the body of knowledge available for the assessment of the risk to consumers from these food products.