Microbiological Guidelines and Sampling Plans for Dried Infant Cereals and Powdered Infant Formula from a Canadian National Microbiological Survey

Abstract

The microbiological safety and quality of 130 lots of domestic and imported dried infant cereals and powdered infant formulae were determined using aerobic colony count (ACC), aerobic sporeformers, confirmed and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens (spores), hemolytic streptococci and yeast and molds. Based on the analytical results and sampling procedures of this survey, no health hazards were found. The results were also used to develop a three-class acceptance plan for ACC (n = 5, c = 2, m = 103/g, M = 104/g), confirmed coliforms (n = 5, c = 1, m = < 1.8/g, M = 20/g) and Salmonella (n = 20, c = 0, m = 0, M = 0). These plans were influenced by the proposed Codex Code of Hygienic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children. Canadian-produced infant foods had an estimate lot rejection rate based on the three-class acceptance plan of 1.1 to 20.3%, based on cereal type and test organism.