Revised guidance on powdered infant formula

Friday 1 December 2006

The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency have issued revised guidance for health professionals on the preparation and storage of powdered infant formula milk.

Health professionals should update their advice to people preparing infant formula milk at home and in other care settings, including nurseries and child minders.

Powdered infant and follow-on formulas are not sterile, which means they can contain harmful bacteria. So it is important to take care when preparing and storing formula, to reduce the risk of babies becoming ill. Bacteria will be killed if formula is made up following the advice, which includes using water that is at least 70°C.

The main change to the guidance is to include options on what people can do if they are going out, or want to take a feed to a nursery or childminder and are not able to follow best practice. In these situations, people should take hot water in a vacuum flask to make up a feed when needed. If this is not possible, they should prepare the feed and cool it in the fridge before transporting it in a cool bag and using it within four hours.