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Guidance on preparing infant formula

Monday 13 February 2006

baby bottle with milk

The Department of Health and Food Standards Agency have issued revised guidance on the preparation and storage of infant formula milk.

The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards has issued an opinion in relation to the microbiological risks in powdered infant and follow-on formulae.

The panel concluded that salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii are the micro-organisms of greatest concern. Although infections with these micro-organisms from formula milk are rare, the risk can be reduced by following guidelines on preparation and storage.

The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency advise all health professionals, particularly nurses, midwives and health visitors, to change/revise/update their advice to mothers on the preparation and storage of infant formula milk in the home.

Health professionals should re-emphasise to parents:

Infant formula powder is not sterile; the risks associated with using powdered infant formula milk are reduced if:

The NHS leaflet on bottle feeding has been updated and 'Birth to Five' and 'The Pregnancy Book' will be updated to reflect this advice before the next print run.

*This last point has been added since this article was originally published.

** The advice about using a liquid ready-to-feed formula was added on 13 February 2006 as a result of the Department of Health updating their advice.

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(External) Department of Health (External) European Food Safety Authority View the website

More advice from our eatwell website

(External) Weaning your baby

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