Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) restated that the commercialization of human milk and its products is not permitted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- It also directed state licensing authorities to refrain from granting licences for the same.
Human milk: It contains many of distinct bioactive molecules that protect against infection and inflammation and contribute to immune maturation, organ development, and healthy microbial colonization.
- Providing safe donor human milk to newborn is an old tradition and has been practiced across the world over last 100 years.
- As per the national guidelines on Lactation Management Centre (LMC) in Public Health Facilities
- Breast milk donation should be voluntary
- Donation is to be done only at health facility and not promoted in community settings
Issues with commercialising human milk
- Exploitation of low-income women: Selling breastmilk risks marginalised women children's health, catering to high-income consumers
- Quality and Safety: The risks posed by transmission of pathogens and chemical residues.
- Commodification of human milk: The high cost of human milk can limit access based on socioeconomic status.