Enterobacteriaceae in Powdered Infant Formula

Powdered milk formulas (PIF) are the most commonly used food substitutes to supplement breastfeeding. The PIF products are not sterile and can be contaminated with various microorganisms, especially several species of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella are the genera most frequently associated to cases and outbreaks of foodborne diseases. Moreover, pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae are frequently detected in PIF; these can cause opportunistic infections that could become a health problem for infants whose immune system is still developing.