Infant formula safety checks can be improved with stratified sampling

Producers of infant formula utilize comprehensive food safety systems, which include product testing, to ensure the efficacy of these systems. A recent study conducted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals that certain testing methods have a higher ability to detect contaminants compared to others.

According to the researchers, spacing out samples over time in a stratified sampling pattern is more effective at detecting risky pathogens like Cronobacter compared to randomly sampling during production. Additionally, while increasing the number of samples generally increases the likelihood of detecting pathogens, there is a point of diminishing returns where further sampling is unlikely to enhance safety.

“Our findings indicate that the current sampling and testing guidance is powerful, at least for the specific hazard profile examined in our study,” said Matthew J. Stasiewicz, the lead researcher and associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“However, this study underscores the importance of additional research and data sharing on contamination patterns in infant formula production. This would enable better matching of sampling and testing practices to current requirements,” Stasiewicz added.

Safety measures in infant formula production include control points such as milk pasteurization, as well as contamination prevention steps like sanitary facility design and regular cleaning and sanitation. Product testing serves as an additional tool to verify safety and must possess adequate sensitivity to identify major failures before potentially hazardous products are released to customers.

The study, published in the Journal of Food Protection and supported by the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) Food Microbiology Committee, employed computer models to simulate sampling and testing of finished formula. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of current national and international testing guidelines and propose potential improvements.

The simulation process focused on detecting a realistic hazard based on data from Cronobacter-contaminated batches produced in Europe during the 2010s. The researchers found that safety plans with 30 or more grab samples had a very high probability of detecting hazards.

However, they also discovered a threshold where extremely high sample numbers, such as testing every produced can, were not significantly more effective. This led them to conclude that systematic or stratified random sampling patterns are more efficient than simple random sampling for bulk powder testing.

“In addition to conducting relevant scenarios, we developed a web app that allows industry stakeholders to simulate various sampling scenarios and gain a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of their specific sampling plans. Armed with this knowledge, producers can proactively address risks and optimize their current sampling practices,” explained Minho Kim, the lead author of the study and a doctoral student in FSHN.

For parents concerned about bacterial contamination of formula and its potential impact on their infants’ health, the researchers recommend consulting with a doctor for safer feeding options. For instance, using hot water during reconstitution and then cooling it to body temperature prior to feeding can greatly reduce the risk of Cronobacter contamination, according to an international risk assessment. However, precautions must be taken to prevent children from being burned by the heated bottles.

Denial of responsibility! SamacharCentrl is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.