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Abstract

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that causes diseases like meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bacteremia in immunocompromised, low weight individuals, neonates, infants, and elders. Cronobacter sakazakii has the ability to persist in extremely dried foods such as powdered infant formula (PIF). Infant food contamination by this bacterium is attributed to biofilm which are microbial communities attached to biotic or abiotic surfaces using a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Cronobacter sakazakii can form biofilms on food, food processing surfaces, and equipment that leads cross-contamination. Cronobacter sakazakii also showed multidrug resistance to some antibiotics. Biofilm formation accompanied by antibiotic resistance is worrisome for medication. Therefore, to prevent or reduce risk contamination infant food companies, health sectors, caregivers, aid providers, and other concerned bodies must be informed and alerted about this hidden bacterium. Thus, this review article gives a brief overview of the role of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant food contamination and its survival strategies in hostile conditions