[Risk assessment of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder].

Objective

To assess the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder from retail to feeding and provide formulate suggestions for safe feeding of infants at home.

Methods

This study used the special monitoring and risk monitoring data of infant formula powder in Heilongjiang Province and combined data at home and abroad. The @RISK software was used to evaluate the disease risk caused by Cronobacter sakazakii in the process of infant formula powder from retail to feeding.

Results

According to the results of this quantitative risk assessment, the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Cronobacter sakazakii at the current consumption pattern in Heilongjiang Province was 5.158×10-5 persons/million (40.0 ℃ and 50.0 ℃), 1.072×10-7 persons/million (60.0 ℃), 5.544×10-14 persons/million (70.0 ℃). When the feeding time of infant formula powder was adjusted to 0-2 h and 2-3 h respectively, the above prediction results did not change. When it was adjusted to 3-4 h, the risk increased. If it was adjusted to 4-24 h, the number of Cronobacter sakazakii increased by 14-24 orders of magnitude at room temperature. If the initial pollution concentration (after flushing) was adjusted to 1 MPN/ml, the average disease risk per meal was 805.7 persons/million (40.0 ℃ and 50.0 ℃), 1.7 persons/million (60.0 ℃) and 9.1 × 10-7 persons/million (70.0 ℃). The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the water temperature (70.0 ℃), initial pollution concentration, room storage time and temperature were important factors of risk.

Conclusion

Controlling the contamination level of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder, controlling the feeding time within 3 h, storing in refrigerator and mixing with water with temperature not lower than 70.0 ℃ are effective measures to prevent infants from eating infant formula powder infected by Cronobacter sakazakii.