Breast milk market warning

Ministry of Health warns of breast milk exchange
19.03.2014

The first breast milk exchange on the Internet is online and there are already warnings from the authorities. The safety standards would not be checked and the stock exchange poses high risks for the health of children.

Bavaria's Minister of Health Melanie Huml is concerned about the establishment of a breast milk exchange on the Internet. She warns against getting milk there. Because infants could suffer significant health damage.

The internet exchange was initiated to enable private exchange of expressed breast milk. However, sales are carried out according to the knowledge of the health authorities without adequate safety standards. This poses enormous risks for the recipient child. Pumped breast milk is an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms. Adequate hygiene is urgently required.

Infections such as HIV or hepatitis could be transmitted through donor milk. In addition, foreign substances such as nicotine, caffeine, drugs, alcohol or medication could harm the baby. Adequate microbiological testing is not guaranteed for online exchanges. (pm)

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