Take steps to expressly avoid food contamination when your baby starts eating solids. Handle, prepare and store your baby's food properly to avoid food-borne illnesses that will make her miserable and compromise her health. Diligent parents should also check periodically to make sure their baby's favorite brand hasn't been recalled because of food contamination.
Safe Feeding
The most important thing to do before you feed your baby is wash your hands, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dish out baby food in servings, placing it in a bowl or dish, advises the Mayo Clinic. Babies who are just learning how to eat solids often eat only a few teaspoons in one sitting. "Double dipping" transfers your baby's saliva back into the original jar or container, contaminating leftovers. If your baby is learning to eat solids, use one-tablespoon servings at a time. Wait until he eats what is on his plate before offering him another serving, using a clean spoon. Discard anything that your baby doesn't eat; don't return it to the original container.
Safe Storage
Store opened jars of baby food in the refrigerator, but don't keep them for more than three days, advises the DHHS. If you can't remember when you opened it, err on the side of safety and throw it out. To prevent baby food contamination, never leave jars you've already opened outside the refrigerator for more than two hours, as bacteria grows quickly when exposed to room temperature.
Homemade Baby Food Safety
If you make your own baby food, the FDA advises freezing the food you don't feed your infant right away in ice cube trays. Cover the tray with heavy plastic wrap prior to freezing. Place the cubes in a freezer bag or airtight storage container, date it, and put the food back in the freezer. You can freeze extra food in small jars as well. Homemade baby food that's been frozen can be kept for up to three months.
What to Avoid
Don't purchase baby food if the safety button on top of the jar is not depressed, advises the FDA. Throw away any baby food jars that don't audibly pop when you open them, as well as jars with chipped glass or rusted lids. Don't give your baby juice or food from plastic pouches that are leaking or that appear to be swollen. Don't use any food or formula past its expiration date. Finally, avoid giving your infant unpasteurized milk or juice. These may contain harmful bacteria.
Baby Food Recall
In January 2010, the FDA issued a consumer alert announcing the recall of several types of HappyTot baby food pouches because of leaking and swelling that may have been caused by bacterial contamination. Keep on top of the latest food recalls by accessing FoodSafety.gov.
