Microbial contamination of food products consumed by infants and babies in Korea

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 532 - 538
• Main Authors: Kim, S.A, Oh, S.W, Lee, Y.M, Imm, J.Y, Hwang, I.G, Kang, D.H, Rhee, M.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2011; Blackwell
• Subjects: Bacillus cereus; Biological and medical sciences; biscuits; coliform bacteria; consumer education; Consumer Product Safety; control methods; Cronobacter; Cronobacter - classification; Cronobacter - genetics; Cronobacter - growth & development; Cronobacter - isolation & purification; Cronobacter spp; Dairy Products; dietary supplements; Enterobacteriaceae - classification; Enterobacteriaceae - genetics; Enterobacteriaceae - growth & development; Enterobacteriaceae - isolation & purification; food contamination; Food Microbiology; food pathogens; foodborne pathogens; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; honey; Humans; Infant; Infant Food - analysis; Infant Food - microbiology; Infant Food - statistics & numerical data; infant foods; Infant Formula - statistics & numerical data; infant formulas; infants; Korea; microbial contamination; microbiological quality; Microbiology; plate count; rice; soups; Soy Milk - statistics & numerical data; soymilk; Korean Peninsula; Asia; Korea; Human; Applied microbiology; infant foods; Infant; microbial contamination; Foodstuff; Bacillaceae; Cronobacter spp. foodborne pathogens; Bacillus cereus; Bacillales; Infant food; Pathogenic; Bacteria; Microorganism; Biological contamination
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2011.03142.x

Aims: The objectives of this study were to investigate the microbiological safety of various foods intended for consumption by infants and babies. Methods and Results: The incidence of Cronobacter spp. and Enterobacteriaceae from powdered infant formula (PIF, n = 75) and baby soy milk (n = 10) was examined. Additionally, aerobic plate count, coliforms and the prevalence of foodborne pathogens were investigated in 230 samples from a variety of infant and baby foods, including cereal‐based follow‐up formulas (FUF), liquid FUF and other infant foods. High APCs were observed in nutrient supplements and cereal‐based FUF. Coliforms were found in 6 (2·6%) products, and Cronobacter spp. was isolated in 10 (4·4%) samples, including four PIF and six cereal‐based FUF. Bacillus cereus was detected in 48 (20·9%) samples: cereal‐based FUF items (23·0%), rice soups (20·6%), honey samples (40·0%), biscuits (40·0%) and liquid FUF (7·4%). Conclusions: New safety criteria, along with hygienic control measures and consumer education strategies, are essential to improve the microbiological safety of infant or baby foods. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides comprehensive information about the prevalence and level of contamination of infant and baby food products by Cronobacter spp. and other major foodborne pathogens.