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Food safety for babies, infants and toddlers

Premature babies, infants or young children who have been unwell may have a higher risk of getting sick from a foodborne illness. Their immunity is likely to be lower than normal.

Food that may be contaminated with bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses and toxins can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea or worse. ‘Foodborne illness’ is the term used when you are sick because of contaminated food.

There are some simple food safety rules to help your children avoid getting sick from a foodborne illness.

Two of the most important ways to reduce the risk of getting a foodborne illness are by following the:

• 4Cs rule – clean, cook, cover, chill [NZ Food Safe Partnership]

• 20+20 hand washing rule before and after handling food [NZ Food Safe Partnership]

There are also particular things you can do, depending on your child’s needs.

Safe feeding for infants

Infant formula for premature babies – extra precautions for the very young

Soy based infant formula

Warming infant formula

Safety assessments on a range of ingredients sometimes used in infant and follow-on formulas.

Changes to food code for formulas for babies and young children

Related links

Breast feeding advice [PDF: 314K, 8 pages] [Ministry of Health]

Breast feeding advice for mothers, supporters, health practitioners, employers and the community [Ministry of Health]

Food and nutrition guidelines for infants and toddlers, aged from birth to two [Ministry of Health]

Infant formula – preparing, feeding and the equipment you need [PDF: 394K, 12 pages] [Ministry of Health]

Food allergies – background information and links

Iodine – why it is important for you and your children

Preparation of powdered infant formula in New Zealand – science report of a caregiver focus group study

Child health resources [Ministry of Health]

Food and nutrition publications [Ministry of Health]