Guidance on preparing infant formula
Monday 13 February 2006
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:
- the importance of good hygiene practices in preparing and storing feeds made from powdered formula
- failure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines may increase the chances of a baby becoming ill
Infant formula powder is not sterile; the risks associated with using powdered infant formula milk are reduced if:
- feeds are made up using boiled water that is greater than 70°C; in practice, this means using water that has been left to cool for no more than half an hour
- feeds are made up fresh for each feed; storing made up formula milk may increase the chance of a baby becoming ill and should be avoided
- any left over milk is thrown away
- mothers, who require a feed for later, are advised to keep water they have just boiled in a sealed flask and make up fresh formula milk when needed or use a liquid ready-to-feed formula**
- the temperature of the feed should be tested and, if required, cooled by holding the bottle, with the cap covering the teat, under cold running water*
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.