Food regulator FSSAI warns against sale of human milk, says commercialisation of mother's milk not permitted

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a warning on Friday (May 24) against selling human milk and its products, saying that the commercialisation of mother's milk is not permitted in India. 

"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 the FSS Act, 2006 and rules/regulations made there under," the notice read. 

Any violation of this directive may result in action against the food business operators (FBOs) as per the FSS Act, 2006, and its associated rules and regulations, the top food regulatory body added.

"it is advised that all such activities related to the commercialization of human milk and its products should be immediately stopped. Any violation of this may result in initiation of action against the FBO(s) in accordance with FSS Act, 2006 and rule/regulations made thereunder," the circular read.

Further, the food regulatory agency stated that any breach of this order may result in action being taken against food business operators (FBOs) under the FSS Act of 2006 and its associated rules and regulations. 

The FSSAI has also advised licencing authorities not to approve such establishments involved in the sale of human milk. "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 the national guidelines on Lactation Management Centres (LMC) in public health facilities, donor human milk cannot be used for any commercial purpose. It should only be provided to newborns or infants in health facilities equipped with comprehensive lactation management centres, following all prescribed procedures.

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