How Long Does Baby Formula Last?

The infant formula shortages have families scrambling to find formula. Once a parent finds it, they don’t want any to go to waste.

This past week, I’ve answered several questions about how long it is safe to keep baby formula after it has been prepared. This reminded me to re-post an article on this topic that I was quoted in.

“How Long Does Baby Formula Last” was written last year by Lizzie Duszynski-Goodman and posted on Forbes Health. In the beginning of the piece Lizzie brings up the risks of Cronobacter in powdered infant formulas.

Photo credit: Lisa Richardson

A year ago, it may have seemed overly cautious to bring up such a rare infection. Few parents had ever heard about it. But after the February 2022 recalls of certain specialty formula made by Abbott Nutrition, Cronobacter , formula food safety has taken on new importance.

And, while the infections is rare, there is a long history of Cronobacter infections associated with infant formula. For example, researchers from Tennessee State documented 32 outbreaks from 1958 until 2016. European regulators are so concerned about Cronobacter that they require formula to be made with boiled, slightly cooled water to kill any potential bacteria in the formula powder.

I’ll admit that my mind is changing about the need to use boiled water to make infant formula. I’ll write more on this in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, if you haven’t read Lizzie’s article, I encourage you to do so! If you have any questions about infant formula food safety, please post them in the comments!