Mainland China’s repeated infant milk powder food safety issues have given rise to the selling of fresh human breast milk, and even the existence of “professional nannies.” Even though fresh breast milk does not fall under the category of general food resources, selling breast milk is illegal.
Selling fresh breast milk
However, this has not stopped people from profiting from selling fresh breast milk using a network platform. Media outlet Huaxi Dushi Bao has reported that some network platforms are selling breast milk ranging from 15 to 60 yuan. One site was found advertising a 250 ml fresh bag of breast milk for 150 yuan.
It was also reported that the middlemen are being cautious, requiring buyers to provide birth certificates or addresses before purchasing, with some only selling to mothers from nearby communities using a courier to deliver it.
An unnamed person in the industry has revealed that if the milk production from a lactating mother is sufficient, they could earn up to 8000 yuan per month.
Lawyers from Sichuan Yingji Law Firm said:
“That breast milk is not a general commodity and even if the industry advertised that it was safe, hygienic and fresh, it still cannot be ensured that it does not contain any contagious disease.
“Selling of breast milk is an illegal trade, and if there is any infection problem, the selling parties involved are also legally liable.”
Translated by Chua BC
