What dairy ingredients will the FDA test for infant botulism spores?

The FDA plans to test dairy-based ingredients such as milk powder and whey protein concentrate for spores that can cause infant botulism.

Why is the FDA testing infant formula ingredients?

This testing is a response to a previous recall linked to infant hospitalizations and aims to evaluate the supply chain for potential contamination risks.

Will companies be required to test for botulism spores in the future?

It is a real possibility that infant formula companies may be required in the future to test for Clostridium botulinum spores.

Home / Health / FDA to Test Dairy Ingredients for Infant Botulism Spores

FDA to Test Dairy Ingredients for Infant Botulism Spores

4 Feb

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Summary

US officials will test dairy ingredients for infant botulism spores.
Testing follows last year's ByHeart recall linked to infant hospitalizations.
New testing aims to assess supply chain risks and future company requirements.

FDA to Test Dairy Ingredients for Infant Botulism Spores

US health officials are set to test certain dairy-based ingredients, including milk powder and whey protein concentrate, for spores that can lead to infant botulism. This proactive measure comes after a recall by ByHeart last year, which was associated with 51 infant hospitalizations.

The Food and Drug Administration's initiative seeks to understand potential contamination risks within the supply chain. Officials are evaluating whether the presence of these spores constitutes a foreseeable hazard that manufacturers should actively test for.

Currently, there is no indication that the U.S. infant formula supply is unsafe. However, this ingredient testing is a crucial step to assess the overall supply chain and inform future regulatory actions. The agency is considering mandating spore testing for infant formula makers, a possibility that has not been a requirement previously.