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FAO/WHO Call for Experts to Support Microbiological Risk Assessment for Infant Formula

By Bailee Henderson

baby bottle and formula — Image credit: Floortje/E+ via Getty Images

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a call for experts and data on microbiological risk assessment for powdered formula for infants and young children, with the ultimate goal of updating Codex Alimentarius standards.

Responding to High-Profile Outbreaks, Recalls Involving Infant Formula

The call for experts comes in the wake of recent, high-profile safety incidents involving powdered infant formula, including a U.S. infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart formula and a global recall involving Nestlé, Danone, and other brands due to the presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus.

In December, considering these recent food safety incidents, the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) requested that the Joint Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) conduct a risk assessment on spore-forming pathogens, including C. botulinum and Bacillus cereus, in powdered infant formula.

**Work to Support Update of Codex Standards for Powdered Formula**

The new call for experts will support the work of JEMRA, which aims to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment that will help CCFH update the Codex Alimentarius standards for powdered formula.

Last year, JEMRA held an expert meeting on Clostridium contamination in foods. JEMRA is building on this work by focusing specifically on microbial contaminants in powdered formula products.

“We are more efficient and proactive when we collect information on several potential hazards simultaneously,” said Kang Zhou, Ph.D., Food Safety Officer, Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO.

Call for Experts and Data Now Open

The call for experts and data seeks detailed scientific information related to:

The presence and behavior of bacteria in powdered formula
Environmental conditions and production factors that may influence formula contamination
Detection methods, control strategies, and mitigation practices.

The call for experts is open until March 15 and all relevant data should be submitted before May 15. More information and instructions for how to respond can be found here.

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Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine, where she covers industry-relevant current events, regulatory affairs, and scientific developments. She also produces the Food Safety Five Newsreel. Notably, Bailee's coverage for Food Safety Magazine has been featured in national televised news segments including CBS Sunday Morning and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show. She can be reached at hendersonb@bnpmedia.com.