Breast milk i.e. mother's milk is the most nutritious food for a newborn baby. Doctors believe that only mother's milk should be given to the child for six months. But in the world, breast milk is not used only to complete the diet of the child but it has also been made a part of business. In many countries, women are selling it and earning a lot. There is tremendous demand for breast milk in countries like America and Europe. Although there are many controversies regarding the sale of breast milk, but even after this the business is not decreasing. Let us know whether it can be sold in india too, or there is no rule regarding the sale of breast milk here.
What are the rules regarding the sale of mother's milk in India?
In the year 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of india i.e. FSSAI refused to allow the processing and sale of human milk under the FSS Act 2006. The food regulator had also advised that there would be no commercial activity of human milk and its products. The advisory said that according to the FSS Act 2006 and the rules made under it, processing and sale of human milk is not allowed.
Breast milk can only be donated
In such a situation, if anyone is using human milk or any product made from it in a commercial way, then he should immediately stop such activity. If still someone does this, then action can be taken against him considering it a violation of the FBS Act 2006 and the rules made under it. FSSAI said that breast milk can only be donated, no money can be taken in return for it. If both the child and the mother are healthy for breast feeding, then this duty has to be fulfilled. In countries like Cambodia, 28 ml. of breast milk is given for $ 0.50.
Punishment for violating the rule
In india, if anyone sells breast feeding products or breast milk under the guise of dairy products, then action will be taken against those doing so. Violating the rule can result in a punishment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Although breast milk banks have been established in india, here breast milk is considered special for health. There are breast milk banks in Delhi, mumbai and Pune, from where this milk is made available to newborn babies.
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