The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a major directive regarding human milk. The FSSAI considers the processing and selling of mother's milk to be inappropriate and has also deemed its commercialization to be wrong. Its use is only permitted for infants or in health facilities for feeding babies. An advisory has also been released by the FSSAI in this regard.
Under the FSS Act of 2006, FSSAI has refused to allow the processing and sale of human milk. It has been advised that all activities related to the commercialization of human milk and its products should be halted immediately. If anyone engages in such practices, it will be considered a violation of the FSS Act of 2006 and related regulations. Subsequently, legal action may be initiated against the violator.
FSSAI pointed out that some companies have been trading human milk under the guise of dairy products. Breast milk can only be donated and not traded for money or any other benefit. Commercial use of donor human milk is not allowed. If the mother and infant are healthy for breastfeeding, this responsibility must be fulfilled.
No Licensing for Selling Mother's MilkFSSAI has made clear that state and central licensing authorities must ensure that FBOs involved in the processing or sale of 'mother's milk or human milk' are not granted a license.
5 Lakh Rupees Fine for ViolationIn recent years, some companies have been into selling and processing such milk. Companies have obtained FSSAI licenses under the pretext of dairy products. Now, the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India has requested the government to take action against these companies. Offenders can face up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to 5 lakh rupees.
