Occurrence of Cronobacter sakazakii in Powdered Milks Obtained within Kaduna Township

Abstract

Background: Cronobacter sakazakii is a foodborne pathogen, posing a high risk of disease to infants and immunocompromised individuals. Powdered milk (such as infant milk formula and opened-vended milk) are the main food sources that have been linked with epidemic diseases caused by C. sakazakii. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the occurrence of C. sakazakii in powdered milk comprising powdered infant formulas (PIF) (used and retailed PIF) and opened-vended powdered milk (OVPM) obtained within Kaduna Township, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: The occurrence of C. sakazakii was investigated in three hundred and six (306) samples of powdered milk comprising powdered infant formulas (PIF) (used and retailed PIF) and opened-vended powdered milk (OVPM) obtained within Kaduna township were investigated using standard methods comprising Enterobacteriaceae Enrichment Broth and HardyCHROM sakazakii medium. Results: The results showed that the occurrence of C. sakazakii was highest in OVPM with 8 (7.21%) followed by used PIF with 5 (5.05%) and the least occurred in retailed PIF with 2 (2.08%) out of three hundred and six (306) investigated. Conclusion: The work suggests that OVPM was a major source of contamination of C. sakazakii. Hence, the consumption of contaminated OVPM by infants will make them susceptible to septicemia, meningitis, bacteremia caused by C. sakazakii.  

Keywords: C. sakazakii, Powdered Infant Formulas, Opened-Vended Powdered Milk, HardyCHROM sakazakii medium