Safeguarding infant formula exports

Research collaboration between universities, industry, and food safety experts is helping to keep New Zealand's infant formula exports among the safest in the world.

Simon Swift, a professor of molecular medicine and pathology, from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, helped develop what is believed to be the world's first comprehensive guide to managing cronobacter, a bacterium that can cause serious illness in infants if it contaminates powdered formula.

The University is a key partner in the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC), which brought together researchers and industry experts to develop the guidance. Professor Swift worked closely with NZFSSRC chief scientist Professor Philip Bremer from the University of Otago to produce the resource, which aims to help manufacturers prevent contamination and maintain the highest standards of food safety.

Cronobacter is naturally present in the environment and can survive in dry conditions. While infections are rare, they can cause severe illness, including meningitis, particularly in newborns and premature babies.

"New Zealand's dairy industry already has very strong food safety systems in place, but it's important not to become complacent," says Swift.

"We wanted to capture the best approaches being used across the sector and ensure the industry continues to produce the safe, high-quality products New Zealand is known for."

To develop the guidance, Swift and Bremer visited milk powder manufacturing sites across New Zealand, speaking with staff and reviewing the measures in place to prevent contamination.

The work reaffirmed the strength of existing food safety systems while identifying practical lessons and best practices that could be shared across the industry.

"This was about making sure we weren't becoming complacent," says Swift.

"New Zealand is in a very good place when it comes to producing safe milk powder, but it's important to regularly review what we're doing, check that every measure remains fit for purpose and ensure we're following the best available practices."

Dr Marie Bradley, director of the NZ Food Safety Science and Research Centre, says the project demonstrates the value of bringing together researchers, industry and government partners to address challenges facing New Zealand's food sector.

"This is a great example of how collaboration through the NZFSSRC is working," says Bradley.

"The guide was developed through close partnerships between researchers and industry, with strong industry commitment and co-funding,” she says. “It continues to be used by industry practitioners, helping ensure New Zealand maintains world-leading food safety standards." 

Swift says the work is about more than protecting infant health. It also helps safeguard New Zealand's reputation as a trusted producer of premium food products.

"We have a food industry that is incredibly important to New Zealand and a reputation for producing premium products," he says.

"That reputation depends on a strong food safety culture throughout the supply chain. The people making these products understand they're producing food for babies and take that responsibility very seriously."

The project also highlighted the commitment of workers throughout the dairy sector, from production staff to management, to maintaining the highest standards of food safety.

"It was encouraging to see the level of engagement and pride people have in producing a product that's trusted by families around the world," says Swift.

Looking ahead, University researchers are investigating new ways to remove harmful bacteria from food production environments, including understanding how bacterial biofilms survive cleaning and disinfection processes.

The University's contribution also extends to training the next generation of food safety experts. Researchers work closely with industry partners to provide students with opportunities to gain practical experience and build the skills needed to support New Zealand's food sector into the future. Industry partnerships and mentoring opportunities help ensure graduates are ready to contribute to one of New Zealand's most important export sectors.