The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed central and state authorites not to grant licences to sell or process breast milk.
In an advisory on May 24, the food regulator said "activities related to the commercialisation of human milk and its products should be immediately stopped."
Pointing out that it received several requests from registered societies to commercialise breast milk, the food safety authority clarified that it is strictly prohibited and should be used only to feed newborns and infants in health facilities. “The State and Central Licensing Authorities should ensure that no license/registration is granted to such FBOs (food business operators ) involved in the processing or selling of 'Mother's milk/Human milk.”
The regulator warned that any violation will not be tolerated and action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Guidelines on Lactation Management Centres in public health facilities state that human milk cannot be commercialised. Breast milk can be donated voluntarily but the donor cannot accept any monetary benefits, according to the guidelines.
“This office is in receipt of representations from various registered societies regarding commercialization 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 there under,” read the advisory.
