Scimex: The sale of human breast milk on the internet poses serious risks to
infant health and needs urgent regulation, argue experts in The BMJ
today. UK experts have highlighted the dangers of buying breast milk on the
internet. They warn the sales are not regulated and the milk is often
unpasteurised or not tested for contamination, pointing to previous
research that showed only 9 out of 101 milk samples tested had no
bacterial growth or that 25 per cent of samples were contaminated with
drugs or other substances.
The nutritional benefits of breast milk for babies are widely
documented, but many new mothers find it difficult or are unable to
breastfeed. In addition to social pressure, this pushes some mothers to
purchase human breast milk on the internet - a market that has been
growing rapidly.
Despite appearing as healthy and beneficial products, many new mothers
and even some healthcare workers are not aware that this market is
“dangerous” and “putting infant health at risk” because it is not
regulated, argues Sarah Steele, a lecturer at the Global Health, Policy
and Innovation Unit at Queen Mary University London, and colleagues.
Purchasing human breast milk on the internet can be cheaper than buying
from regulated milk banks, where it can cost up to $3-4 per ounce,
because sellers can cut corners to save on costs such as pasteurization,
testing for disease and contamination, and the appropriate collection,
storage and shipping of milk.
But these are all crucial to ensure that milk is safe for consumers, who
also include adults with cancer and fetishes, and also gym enthusiasts.
Milk should be screened for diseases, such as, hepatitis B and C, HIV
and human T cell lymphotropic virus and syphilis, explain the experts.
Previous research has shown that milk purchased online has more
bacterial growth due to lack of pasteurization and poor shipping and
storage. One study showed that only 9 out of 101 samples did not have
bacterial growth.
Other studies have revealed that 25% of milk samples were delivered with
poor packaging and were no longer frozen, and contamination with drugs
and other substances.
“Milk bought online is far from an ideal alternative, exposing infants
and other consumers to microbiological and chemical agents,” write the
authors. “Urgent action is required to make this market safer.”
Healthcare workers should be offered training on the online market so
they can provide good advice and offer safe alternatives to new mothers,
especially those who experience problems or are unable to breastfeed,
argue the researchers. Advice on best practice, including storage and
use of expressed milk should also be given.
They also call for professional bodies, institutions and trusts to
provide accurate information, advice and guidance, and legal regulation
to enforce the safe collection, processing and shipping of human breast
milk.
Legal regulation should also punish those who contaminate milk for
profit and to ensure that mothers are protected against exploitation,
they add.