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TheCenters for Disease Control and Preventionis reminding parents of newborns to sterilize their bottles and breastfeeding equipment, after the cause of an infant’s death last year was linked to a contaminated breast pump.
The CDCexplains on its websitethat when this strain of bacteria infects infants under 12 months of age, the infection is often linked to powdered infant formula, due to the fact that it can live on household surfaces such as kitchen counters, sinks, and water.
While the infant’s death was not linked to contaminated formula, the CDC revealed that the breast pump used in his case was cleaned and sanitized but at times assembled while still moist.
“Because of the widespread presence of C. sakazakii in the environment, caregivers of infants should follow safe hygiene, preparation, and storage practices, and learn steps to protect infants from infection,” the CDC stressed in their report.
When not deadly, the bacteria can cause a dangerous blood infection (sepsis) and swell the linings surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). The CDC stressed in their report that “caretakers should be instructed to thoroughly clean and sanitize breast pump equipment.”
Last month, two batches of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formulawere recalledover cross-contamination concerns of Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria.
“ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula in 12.9 oz containers was manufactured between August 2022 and September 2022. The products were distributed through retail stores nationwide in the U.S., Guam, and Puerto Rico,” the Food and Drug Administrationannounced in a news release.
The formula manufacturer explained in the release that the recall was out of “an abundance of caution” and that no illness incidents were reported. Test of batches of the formula also did not indicate the presence of the bacteria.
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source: people.com
