More Warnings on Baby Formula — Heat-Resistant Bacteria Found Even After Safe Preparation
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STORY AT-A-GLANCE
Powdered infant formula isn’t sterile, and heat-resistant bacteria like Bacillus cereus and Cronobacter can survive normal prep temperatures, meaning your baby could be exposed even when you think you’re doing everything right
Water needs to be hot at the moment you add the powder — around 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) — to reduce dangerous pathogens, so using a thermometer gives you control instead of guessing based on boiling and waiting
At-home formula machines often fail to reach safe temperatures, and some even introduce new contamination through internal filters, which means relying on them without checking water temperature increases risk for your child
Even safely mixed formula becomes unsafe quickly at room temperature, especially once feeding starts, because bacteria from your baby’s mouth multiply fast in warm, nutrient-rich milk
Many formulas contain ingredients like seed oils, heavy metals, and mycotoxins that affect your baby’s metabolism, immunity, and brain development, so understanding these risks helps you make safer feeding decisions
Many parents rely on powdered infant formula as the primary source of nourishment for their babies. But despite formula manufacturers touting the convenience and superiority of their product, what they cannot always guarantee is safety.
Case in point: A recent study found that certain bacteria can survive the heat typically used to make baby formula “safe” — raising new concerns about what might still be present in your baby’s bottle.
Do Heat-Resistant Bacteria Really Survive Typical ‘Safe’ Baby Formula Prep?
The demand for infant formula continues to rise, as mainstream health advice continues to tout the advantages of these milk alternatives, saying they’re “convenient” and “healthier” for young children. In fact, the global baby formula market is set to rise to $153.26 billion by 2030.1
But choosing infant formula over breast milk (which I’ll dive into more details below) as your child’s first food is one of the most drastic decisions you can make for their well-being. Not only are you choosing to give your child an unnatural, highly processed product during their first years of life, but you’re also exposing them to a risk of contamination.
Baby formula goes through a rigorous manufacturing process — The end result is an easily dissolvable powder form that’s reconstituted by adding water to the product. However, even if there are stringent safety protocols in place, this extensive manufacturing process still allows multiple opportunities for bacteria like Bacillus and Clostridium to contaminate the product.
<label class="hide-text" contenteditable="false">Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published</label>Listeria monocytogenes, in particular, can survive pasteurization.2 Hence, parents are advised to follow proper formula preparation to minimize the risk.
How hot should water be for formula milk? In order to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) advise using freshly boiled water to reconstitute formula milk. After boiling, the water needs to be cooled to 158 degrees F (70 degrees C) before using it to reconstitute the formula. Afterward, the milk needs to be cooled further to a safe feeding temperature before giving it to the infant.
<label class="hide-text" contenteditable="false">Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published</label>This recommendation comes from earlier research showing that common environmental bacteria, many of which act as opportunistic pathogens, can be effectively eliminated by moderate heat.
However, not all parents abide by this guideline — In fact only about 44% of parents boil fresh water when preparing formula, with many opting instead for previously boiled, cooled water.
Additionally, some people use at-home preparation machines (AHPMs) to prepare baby formula — These modern conveniences that dispense, mix, and heat formula are becoming popular nowadays, particularly for busy or overwhelmed parents who need help.
<label class="hide-text" contenteditable="false">Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published</label>However, studies found that approximately 85% of AHPMs fail to reach the recommended temperature, even though around 52% of parents now rely on them for formula preparation, News-Medical.net reports.3
<label class="hide-text" contenteditable="false">Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published</label>These oversights in proper preparation further compromise baby formula’s safety. Yet, even if the guidelines were followed, it sometimes isn’t enough; there’s still a high risk for contamination to occur.
Which Bugs Should Parents Be Worried About?
A recent study provides more insight into the risk of contamination in baby formula. In a paper published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, researchers conducted an investigation into microbial contamination in 21 different brands of baby formula sold in the UK.4
Each formula was prepared using three parallel methods — These include sterile water heated to 70 degrees C, sterile water at room temperature, and using a popular AHPM. To detect microbial growth, the prepared samples were cultured on Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) for bacteria and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SAB) with chloramphenicol (50 mg/L) for yeasts. The microbial isolates were then identified using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
Microbes were detected — The researchers found microbial contamination in five sterile room-temperature samples and four from samples using 70 degrees C water. What’s astounding, however, was the results from AHPMs — the majority of samples prepared using these devices exhibited contamination — 16 samples on TSA and 18 on SAB.
“Interestingly, the formula prepared using an AHPM had distinct microbial patterns. Even sterile water run through the appliance showed microbial growth, indicating the problem may lie in the filters,” News-Medical.net reported.
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