Enterobacter sakazakii and other micro-organisms in powdered infant formula

Enterobacter sakazakii in follow-up formula
Following a request from the 39th Session of the CCFH, FAO and WHO have implemented an expert meeting to look at the risk associated with Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) in follow-up formula, particularly for infants less than 12 months of age.
The final report of this meeting is now available.
Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) in powdered formulae: Meeting report.

Microbiological Risk Assessment Series 15. FAO/WHO (2008)
(ISBN 978-92-5-106119-0)

Enterobacter sakazakii and other micro-organisms in powdered infant formula
FAO and WHO have developed a web-based model to assess the risk associated with Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula. Use of this model does not require any specialist software other than an Internet platform. The user does not require any specialist training but will need to follow the User Manual which is available on the webpage in order to ensure correct use of the model. This model allows users to compare the impact of the implementation of different sampling plans at the end of the production of powdered infant formula and also to compare the relative impact of different preparation, storage and handling scenarios on the risk of Enterobacter sakazakii infections in infants. This is the first web-based risk assessment tool to be developed by FAO and WHO in the area of food safety.
Go to New web-based microbiological risk assessment model
For further information on the model please contact [email protected]

FAO/WHO Expert meeting on Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella in powdered infant formula - Final report now available
In response to a request from Codex for additional advice on this issue FAO/WHO implemented an expert meeting on 16-20 January 2006 to address the questions from Codex and evaluate a quantitative risk assessment model for E. sakazakii in powdered infant formula that the organizations had developed.
The final report is now available.
Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella in powdered infant formula: Meeting report.
Microbiological Risk Assessment Series 10. FAO/WHO (2006)
(ISBN-92-5-105574-2)
Corrigenda [pdf 31kb]

Also available

Report on Enterobacter sakazakii and other micro-organisms in powdered infant formula now available
Enterobacter sakazakii and other micro-organisms in powdered infant formula: Meeting report.

Microbiological Risk Assessment Series 6. FAO/WHO (2004)
(ISBN: 92-5-105164-X)

Executive Summary [pdf 394kb]

Questions and Answers [pdf 16kb]

The issue of pathogens and in particular Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula was brought to the attention of the 35th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), by the 24th session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU), and the United States of America and Canada who introduced a risk profile for E. sakazakii in powdered infant formula for consideration by the committee (document).

As a result, the 35th Session of the CCFH initiated the revision of the current Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practices for Foods for Infants and Children (document [pdf 98kb]) and requested FAO and WHO to convene an expert consultation on pathogens of concern in powdered infant formula, at the earliest opportunity.

In order to respond to this emerging public health issue and to provide scientific advice to the subsequent session of CCFH in March 2004, FAO and WHO convened a meeting on E. sakazakii and other micro-organisms in powdered infant formula, in Geneva, in February 2004. The full report is now available [pdf 440kb].