Enterobacter Sakazakii continues to be a worldwide problem

FROM Indonesian Media Watch:

Indonesian researchers are investigating new reports of Enterobacter Sakazakii infections associated with powdered infant formula. Findings from the report state that the bacteria could cause not only ordinary diarrhea, but also enteritis, sepsis, meningitis and even death.

During a recent health commission hearing where IPB researchers were called to present their findings, the team of researchers led by Dr Sri Estuningsih said that the research was conducted over a three year period from 2003 to 2006. According to Estuningsih, the research was originally aimed at detecting salmonella, e-coli and shigella in milk formula marketed in Indonesia. The researched bacteria were not found. Instead, to their surprise, the researchers found enterobacter sakazakii.

The IPB researchers did more experiments by studying the effect of a bacterial attack on rodents. Several six-day old guinea pigs were force-fed the bacteria. Three days later, organ samples were taken from the rodents. One was found with inflammation of the intestines and brain. Although enterobacter sakazakii attacked people of all ages, babies under one year old who were born prematurely or weighed less than 2.5 kilograms with low body resistance remained most vulnerable. Separately, the IPB findings did not indicate that the bacteria were only found in Indonesia.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, of 141 samples of milk formula it took in several states in America in 2002, 20 were found to have been contaminated by the bacteria. Similar studies have also been carried out by the World Health Organization and Food & Agriculture Organization. In some cases, there were reports of death occurring in developed countries, however, no complete picture of the bacteria has been found as data about the character and growth of enterobacter sakazakii are incomplete and vague.

To allay any concerns on this situation, Sri Irawati Susalit, Director for Food Products Standardization at the Food and Drug Supervisory Board said that her agency was drawing up a new standardization for milk formula. This will include labeling and other requirements on the preparation of the milk formula. On the international level, the World Health Organization feels there are some challenges that need to be addresses when implementing a proper standard that will monitor the production of milk formula.

To date, the WHO has yet to improve the hygiene standards of milk formula from the process of production to distribution, and preparation before feeding, including a detailed instruction on room temperature and the length of preparation. Several scenarios were mentioned, such as what would happen if the milk is prepared in a relatively cold or hot room, how long milk formula would stand before succumbing to infection by enterobacter sakazakii.

Already, the public has acted fast as parents cautiously select milk formulas for their children while they wait for more government tests to confirm which brands of formula have been affected by the bacteria. The government will need to work fast to rectify the situation before it spirals out of control and causes unnecessary fears.

http://www.rsi.sg/english/indonesiamediawatch/view/20080322212430/1/.html