Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease and colloquially referred to as food poisoning) is any illness resulting from the food spoilage of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food. Infant food safety is the identification of risky food handling practices and the prevention of illness in infants. Foodborne illness is a serious health issue, especially for babies and children. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off foodborne bacterial infections. 800,000 illnesses affect children under the age of 10 in the U.S. each year. Therefore, extra care should be taken when handling and preparing their food.
Prevention Handwashing is the first step in maintaining the safety of infant food. Caregivers' hands can pick up bacteria and spread bacteria to the baby. Situations in which one can encounter high levels of bacteria are:
Diapers containing feces and urine Raw meat and raw poultry Uncooked seafood, and eggs Dogs and cats, turtles, snakes, birds, and lizards, among other animals. Soil Other children Handwashing can remove harmful bacteria and will help prevent foodborne illness. Instructing other children in a family on good handwashing will help to limit the spread of bacteria that cause illness. Handwashing is most effective in providing safe food for the infant during 'key times':
Before preparing and feeding bottles or foods to the baby. Before touching the baby's mouth. Before touching pacifiers or other things that go into the baby's mouth. After using the toilet or changing diapers.
Infant formula Though breastfeeding helps prevent many kinds of sicknesses among infants, caregivers often choose to use infant formula. Promoting food safety in infants requires safe preparation and use. Infant formula should be used within two hours of preparation. If the infant does not finish the entire bottle, the remainder is thrown away. If the prepared feed is not used right away, refrigerating it immediately will slow the growth of microorganisms; however, it must be used within 24 hours. Cronobacter, formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii, is a group of bacteria that can be found in the environment. The germs can also live in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula. Anybody can get sick from Cronobacter, but the infection occurs most often in infants. Cronobacter infections are rare, but they can be deadly in newborns. Infections in infants usually occur in the first days or weeks of life. Cronobacter germs can cause dangerous blood infections (sepsis) or infections of the linings surrounding the brain and spine (meningitis). Infants up to two months of age are the most likely to develop meningitis if they get sick with Cronobacter. Infants born prematurely and infants with a lower ability to fight germs and sickness due to illness (such as HIV) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer) are also more likely to get sick. The first symptom of Cronobacter infection in infants is usually a fever, coupled with poor feeding, crying, or very low energy. Parents or caregivers should take an infant with these symptoms to see a doctor.
Infection prevention Cronobacter infections can be prevented by:
Breastfeeding. This is one of the best things that can be done for the infant's health, and benefits include preventing many kinds of infections. Reported Cronobacter infections among infants who were fed only breast milk and no formula or other foods are rare. Cleaning, sanitizing, and storing dry feeding items and breast pump parts. Contamination can be prevented and the milk kept relatively free of microbes by washing, sanitizing, and safely storing other feeding implements. Cleaning the breasts before nursing. Keeping ill family and friends from feeding the infant. Using liquid formula, when possible. Choosing infant formula sold in liquid form over powdered, especially in very young infants. Preparing powdered infant formula safely.
Safe infant formula preparation Recommendations from health organizations for the preparation of infant formula are:
Warming treated and clean water to at least 158 °F /70 °C and pour it into the bottle. Adding infant formula and carefully shaking, rather than stirring the bottle. Cooling the mixture so that it is not too hot before feeding the baby by running the prepared, capped bottle under treated, clean, and cool water, taking care to keep the cooling water from getting into the bottle or on the nipple. Testing the temperature of the mixture by shaking a few drops on the wrist. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol should be used. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is effective in killing Cronobacter germs. But using soap and water as soon as possible afterwards is imperative because hand sanitizer does not kill all types of germs and may not work as well if hands are visibly greasy or dirty. Cronobacter can also cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections in people of all ages. The infection can be serious for older people and for people whose immune systems are weakened by other illnesses or conditions. They are also more likely to get sick. Caregivers can prepare infant formula safely by:
Preparing safe water for mixing: Bring tap water to a rolling boil and boil it for one minute. Bottled water can be sterilized before using. Using clean bottles and nipples: Sterilizing bottles and nipples before first use is safer. After that, it is safe to wash them by hand or in a dishwasher. Not making more formula than is needed. The formula can become contaminated during preparation, and bacteria can multiply quickly if the formula is improperly stored. The safest practice is to make formula in smaller quantities on an as-needed basis to greatly reduce the possibility of contamination and always follow the label instructions for mixing formula.
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