Isolation of Enterobacter sakazakii and other Enterobacter sp. from food and food production environments

Abstract

Enterobacter sakazakii and other Enterobacter species have caused foodborne illnesses through consumption of a variety of foods, including infant foods. The prevalence of E. sakazakii and other Enterobacter sp. in infant food and milk formula, milk powder, cereal products, spices, sugar and food production environments were studied. A total of 106 samples were tested for the presence of E. sakazakii and other Enterobacter sp. The presence of E. sakazakii and Enterobacter sp. was detected using the FDA enrichment procedure and a chromogenic medium. E. sakazakii was isolated from 2/15 infant food formula, 2/8 infant milk formula, 1/18 cereal products. However none of the powder milk, spices, sugar and environmental samples were positive for E. sakazakii. E. agglomerans was isolated from infant food formula, infant milk formula, milk powder, cereal products, spices and environmental samples. E. cloacae was isolated from infant milk formula.