Fact Check: Is Human Milk & Its Products Being Sold In India?

New Delhi: There have been reports of human milk and its products being used for commercial purposes in India.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken cognizance and issued a stern warning that commercialisation of mother’s milk is not permitted in the country.

“This office is in receipt of representations from various registered societies regarding commercialisation of human milk and its products. In this regard, it may be noted that FSSAI has not permitted the processing and / or selling of human milk under FSS Act, 2006 and rules/regulations made thereunder,” FSSAI stated in an advisory note.

All activities related to commercialisation of human milk and its products must be immediately stopped, it added.

The country’s food regulatory body warned that any form of violation of this directive may result in action against the food business operators (FBOs) as per FSS Act, 2006, and its associated rules and regulations,

Directing licensing authorities not to grant approval to units involved in sale of human milk, FSSAI said: “The State and Central Licensing Authorities should ensure that no license/registration is granted to such FBOs involved in the processing or selling of ‘Mother’s milk/Human milk’.”

According to government regulations, donation of human breast milk is allowed, but has to be done freely and voluntarily, without any monetary benefits to the donor.

The National Health Mission makes provisions for Donor Human Milk (DHM) to be provided to newborns and infants admitted to health facilities with Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMCs).