The Survey of Cronobacter spp.（formerly Enterbacter sakazakii） in Infant and Follow-up Powdered Formula in China in 2012

• Published in: 生物医学与环境科学：英文版 2016, Vol.29 (2), p.99-106
• Main Author: PEI Xiao Yan YAN Lin ZHU Jiang Hui LI Ning GUO Yun Chang FU Ping JIA Hua Yun ZHANG Xiu Li YANG Xiao Rong YANG Da Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: PFGE; 中国; 婴幼儿配方奶粉; 脉冲场凝胶电泳; 遗传多样性; 阪崎肠杆菌; 零售市场; 食品安全标准
• ISSN: 0895-3988; 2214-0190

Objective To determine Cronobacter spp. contamination in infant and follow-up powdered formula in China. Methods All of 2282 samples were collected from the retail markets in China from January 2012 to December 2012, and analyzed for Cronobacter spp. by the Chinese National Food Safety Standard. Characterization of the isolates was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis（PFGE） with XbaI and Spe I restriction enzymes. Results Cronobacter spp. strains were isolated from 25 samples, and the positive rates in infant powdered formulas and follow-up powdered formulas were 0.90%（10/1011） and 1.18%（15/1271）, respectively. Analysis of variable data regarding different purchasing store formats, seasonality, and production locations as well as comparison of infant versus follow-up formulas did not reveal statistically significant factors. During the sampling period, one of six surveillance zones did exhibit a statistically significant trend towards higher positive rate. PFGE characterization of Cronobacter spp. to elucidate genetic diversity revealed only three pairs of Cronobacter spp. out of 25 having the same PFGE patterns. Conclusion The current investigation indicated a lower positive rate of Cronobacter spp. in the powdered formula in China. This evidence suggested contamination originating from multiple different sources during the manufacturing process.