May 26;The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a decisive stance against the commercialization of human milk, denying permission for its processing or sale under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. In an advisory issued recently, FSSAI has firmly recommended that all activities related to the commercialization of human milk and its products be halted immediately.
FSSAI’s Directive on Human Milk
The FSSAI, the governing body responsible for regulating food safety standards in India, emphasized that human milk and its products cannot be treated as commercial commodities. This directive is aimed at ensuring that human milk is not subjected to the commercial market dynamics that apply to other food products.
Key Points from FSSAI’s Advisory
- Prohibition of Processing and Sale: The advisory clearly states that no entity is permitted to process or sell human milk. This includes any form of modification, packaging, or distribution intended for commercial purposes.
- Legal Framework: Under the FSS Act, 2006, the sale of human milk does not fall within the permissible food categories. The Act mandates strict adherence to the classification and regulation of food products, and human milk is explicitly excluded from this framework.
- Public Health Concerns: FSSAI’s decision also addresses significant public health concerns. The commercialization of human milk could potentially lead to quality control issues, contamination risks, and ethical dilemmas regarding the sourcing of human milk.
Implications for Milk Banks and Donor Programs
The FSSAI’s advisory is not intended to disrupt non-commercial, humanitarian milk banking efforts. Milk banks, which operate on a non-profit basis to support neonatal and maternal health, are expected to continue functioning within the guidelines established for safe and ethical practices. These facilities are essential for providing human milk to premature and ill infants whose mothers may be unable to breastfeed.
Ethical and Health Considerations
The commercialization of human milk raises several ethical and health issues. Ethical concerns involve the potential exploitation of women for their milk and the inequities that could arise if human milk were to become a market commodity. Health considerations include the risk of transmission of infections and the challenges in maintaining the nutritional quality and safety of human milk through commercial processing.
FSSAI’s Commitment to Public Health
The FSSAI’s directive underscores its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring ethical practices in food safety. By prohibiting the commercialization of human milk, FSSAI aims to protect vulnerable populations, including infants and lactating mothers, from potential exploitation and health risks.
Conclusion
The FSSAI’s decision to deny permission for the processing or selling of human milk under the FSS Act, 2006, is a significant step in upholding public health standards and ethical norms. This directive ensures that human milk remains a non-commercial entity, prioritizing the health and welfare of infants and mothers over potential commercial gains. All entities involved in the handling of human milk are advised to comply with this directive to maintain the highest standards of safety and ethics.
