Action Taken Against Company Selling Mother's Milk
The government has suspended the licence of Punjab-based health tech start-up Neslak Biosciences for processing and selling of mother's milk.
Union Health Ministry on 7th October 2022 suspended the licence for 'HapiNes' of Punjab-based start-up Neslak Biosciences for violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. Notably, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has also sent out an advisory to the State Food Commissioners and other Central Licensing authorities, saying processing and sale of human milk is not permitted under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. Observing that manufacturing and marketing of mother's milk and products made using mothers' milk have been under observation for a while. According to them some food businesses wrongly obtain licences under dairy or any other products but on the contrary, they are producing human-milk-based products. A complaint was filed last month by Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), an NGO which promotes and supports breast feeding. Based on the complaint, the health ministry took strict action against the company.
The NGO revealed that the efforts to contact Neslak were failed till the time of going to press. The company's website describes it as a health-tech start-up which is providing a comprehensive solution to every situation concerning human milk. The MRP is reported to be Rs 6000 for one litre of mother's milk. A message sent out by the company to doctors specialising in child treatment said "HapiNes is a service for mothers to transform their own milk into easy-to-use and store powder form. It helps mothers overcome hindrance in breastfeeding, in situations such as rejoining work, night-time feeding, travelling or when mother is sick.” This message means they are promoting infant milk substitutes' which are banned under law. Moreover, over the last few months, there have been several complaints of companies processing and marketing breast milk under FSSAI licence.
In another example, last month a subsidiary of the UK-based company’s licence was cancelled for manufacturing products made out of breast milk, under the name of Ayurveda. However, the company has reportedly gone to court. The Minister of State for Health, said in July that donated human milk cannot be used for any commercial purpose. Donation of human milk is to be done freely and voluntarily and is recommended only for babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed them. What do you think about this prompt action taken by the health ministry? Do mention your thoughts in the comment section below.
