New Delhi: Human milk or breast milk is a nutrient-dense food for newborn babies. Also, some research has shown that breast milk may play a vital role in battling chronic diseases such as cancer, digestive problems and immune disorders. Despite these facts being talked about, India’s food regulator has recently issued a warning against the unauthorised commercialisation of human milk, stating that its rules do not allow the sale of such products.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has denied permission for the processing and selling of human milk under the FSS ACT, 2006.
In recent, times the online sale of human milk has increased like anything with milk banks being set up as non-profits collecting milk from lactating mothers and selling it at a higher rate. If you check on Google, there are multiple options available for one to buy such products online.
According to a study, researchers examining samples of breast milk bought online reported that 93 per cent of samples contained bacteria of which 74 per cent of them was gram-negative bacteria. This type of bacteria can cause respiratory problems like pneumonia and digestive issues. As per reports, milk banks usually process the milk collected from healthy donors or lactating mothers and then they cross-check the contamination and the nutrient content before freezing or storing them.
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior Consultant- Internal Medicine, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel Mumbai told News9, “Contaminated breast milk can transfer infections like hepatitis B, syphilis, and cytomegalovirus. Human milk is only for babies, adults don’t need to drink human milk and they do not get any extra benefit by drinking it, and adult milk is only for babies.”
Is it safe to drink human milk as an adult?
Human breast milk from a milk bank is relatively safe because it is screened for contamination and pasteurised hence, it is mostly free from harmful chemicals. As per reports, raw human breast milk purchased online or in an unpasteurised state is full of risk. It can cause food-borne diseases that are common in any raw milk too.
India’s food regulator has recently issued a warning against the unauthorised commercialisation of human milk, stating that its rules do not allow the sale of such products. Is it safe to drink human milk as an adult? Health Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
