To Determine the Frequency of Bacillus cereus in Powdered Milk Infant Formula Consuming in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Tehran Hospitals in 2013-14

Background: In recent years, changing the infant feeding methods and the growing trend of use powdered infant formula (PIF) has raised concern about quality and health assessment among them. These products are contaminated with various pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus which the presence of this bacteria in PIF is important because of consumer age group and virulence of this bacteria in PIF. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Bacillus cereus in powdered milk infant formula consuming in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Tehran hospitals in 2013-14. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 125 samples of powdered infant formula milk which were used in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were surveyed during 8 month in 2014. Isolation and identification of microorganisms (including Bacillus cereus) were carried out according to FDA standard protocol (FDA method) on B. cereus selective agar (MYP Agar). Results: The results of present study showed that of 125 samples from of consumable powdered infant formula milk, 84 (67.2%) samples were contaminated with B.cereus and also 18 (14.4%) samples were contaminated by more than one B.cereus species. Conclusion: As regards pasteurization process is not effective on the spore of B.cereus., The spores of these bacteria can remain in PIF and can cause food poisoning in infants. For this purpose, more attention to quality control of production units and imported powder milk is recommended in Iranian infant foods.