9 tips to help keep children safe from foodborne illness.
Released September 18, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Infants and young children are more likely than adults to become sick from eating food and milk contaminated with harmful bacteria. This is because their immune systems are not fully developed. So, here are some things that you can do to help keep children safe from foodborne illness.
- First, wash your hands before and after preparing formula and food, and feeding children. Use soap and hot running water, and wash them for at least 20 seconds.
- Next, handle formula safely. Do not use formula past the “use-by” dates. Use only sterilized bottles and water, and fill bottles with just enough formula for one feeding. If you prepare more formula than you need for one feeding, be sure to refrigerate the leftover formula immediately and use it within 24 hours.
- Throw-out any formula that is left in the bottle after feeding. Pathogens, or germs, from baby’s mouth can be in the formula, and these pathogens will be there even after refrigeration and reheating.
- Never leave bottles with babies during naptime as the milk will become unsafe. Milk, formula, and baby food will become unsafe if left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.
- Throw-out jars of baby food past the “use-by” dates too. Be sure the “circle of safety” buttons in the center of the lids are down. If not, do not use the jars because they are not properly sealed.
- Do not feed a baby directly from the jar of food because pathogens from the spoon will contaminate the food in the jar. Re-cap the jar of unused food and refrigerate it immediately.
- Use strained meats and eggs within 24 hours. Meat/vegetable combinations can be stored for 1-2 days, and strained fruits and vegetables can be stored for 2-3 days. Never use a microwave to heat solid baby food in jars because microwaves heat food unevenly.
- If you are caring for more than one child, remember to label bottles and “sippy cups” with the children’s names, and do not let children share bottles and eating utensils.
- And finally, if you are ever in doubt about the safety of formula or baby food, throw it out. It isn’t worth risking the health of your children.
Video available at http://www.uaex.edu/news/september2009/0904BabyFood_Safety_video_audio.htm.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/september2009/0904BabyFood_Safety_video_audio.htm
