Purpose: Evaluate the microbiological quality of powdered and reconstituted infant formulas prepared at home.
Methods: Forty-two samples (22 of powdered formula and 22 of the same batch reconstituted prepared by the mothers) were analyzed for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Cronobacterspp.
Results: Two samples of powdered formulas (9.1%) had Enterobacteriaceae counts, ranging from 1.7x102 to 7.0x102 CFU/g. One sample was contaminated with E. coli (56 CFU/g), the other with B. cereus (10 CFU/ml). Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 16 samples of reconstituted formulas (72.7%) with results varying from 4.4x102 to 1.0x105 CFU/ml, and from that samples, seven had E. coli with results ranging from 6.0x102 to 5.9x104 CFU/ml. Bacillus cereus was present in five samples (22.7%); three had counts of 50, 80 and 100 CFU/ml. Cronobacter spp. was not isolated from the samples; however, Klebsiella pneumoniae (one powdered sample and two reconstituted) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(two powdered sample and one reconstituted) were isolated during the analysis.
Significance: The presence of these microorganisms can cause gastro intestinal diseases in infants, which can progress to severe infections such as meningitis and sepsis as they have immature immune systems. The contamination of the samples was greater in the reconstituted formulas, showing that there is a need for a greater hygienic-sanitary control during the preparation. It is important that mothers who prepare the food are oriented to the hygiene of the utensils, ideal temperature of reconstitution and temperature in which the formula is exposed, avoiding the transmission of diseases to their children.