[Yoda]

seriously?

yep! Human breast milk ice cream now on sale in London.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12566827

[Elysium]

What BOOBS!!!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Yoda

seriously?

yep! Human breast milk ice cream now on sale in London.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12566827

Wow yuch

[MandiePoo]

Actually, breast milk is VERY good for those who are seriously ill or have cancer, or HIV or other immune reactions or diseases. I seriously hope it is sreened for diseases though prior to sale. I see nothing wrong with breast milk ice cream.

[mgran]

Well, you've got to admit, it's no more disgusting than squeezing the milk out of a cow, and turning it into icecream. I mean, you've got to wonder what the first guy to milk a cow actually thought he was doing... having milked cows, and goats, allow me to say... it just feels WRONG.

So yeah. I can see why it grosses people out, but it's a teeny weeny bit illogical to feel that way.

Question is, would ethical vegans eat it?

[danvb]

WHOA!!!

Watch out Ben & Jerry's!

Here comes Bonnie and Jen's !!!

[KathyM]

Uh huh.....have you ever seen the look on a man's face when he reaches into the fridge to steal a swig of whole milk from the container - and you tell him "Don't drink that - it's breast milk."

I can't imagine the reaction would be any different from the ice box - or poured into a cone.

[Skully]

OMG, I will not be eating ice cream from europe anytime soon!!!!!!!!!!!! eeeeeek!

[whenwillitend]

That is gross. I don't care if it's illogical, I would never eat someone else's (or my own for that matter) breastmilk. That is truly disgusting. And that's no more illogical than being fine with eating cows and pigs, but not cats and dogs. Doesn't matter. It is what it is.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by MandiePoo

Actually, breast milk is VERY good for those who are seriously ill or have cancer, or HIV or other immune reactions or diseases. I seriously hope it is sreened for diseases though prior to sale. I see nothing wrong with breast milk ice cream.

I agree with MandiePoo and that's the only reason I could see for selling this. I think they're doing this for attention. I'm sure there are better places for this breast milk to be used, so I think it's a waste. Some women can't breast feed but want their babies to have breast milk and hospitals could use it for premature babies. I don't think there's anything ewww about it.....not anymore eww than a cow or goat.

I breast fed both my girls and I believe it made them healthier. Neither of them had ear infections. It doesn't taste bad, in fact it's sweet. I just don't think adults need it. The immune benefit is stronger the 1st couple days. Personally I don't want to eat/drink another womans milk lol.

[KathyM]

I would have more faith in the product if the breast milk were stored in a hospital/medical "bank" under the same rules/policies as storing human blood. If a patient were in need of it in ice cream form, it wouldn't be so far-fetched to hand out some sort of recipe to make it a frozen "treat."

I wouldn't trust a chain like Starbucks or McDonalds to hand out blood to my loved ones in need - same goes for breast milk. I would not want to have to purchase breast milk at the local street fair or ice cream stand - or buy it from strangers over the internet.

[EvilPopTart]

It's no more disgusting than the crap put in food products these days. I would rather drink breast milk than eat chemical riddled, insect and pesticide infected junk.

[MandiePoo]

Originally Posted by KathyM

I would have more faith in the product if the breast milk were stored in a hospital/medical "bank" under the same rules/policies as storing human blood. If a patient were in need of it in ice cream form, it wouldn't be so far-fetched to hand out some sort of recipe to make it a frozen "treat."

I wouldn't trust a chain like Starbucks or McDonalds to hand out blood to my loved ones in need - same goes for breast milk. I would not want to have to purchase breast milk at the local street fair or ice cream stand - or buy it from strangers over the internet.

Absolutely agree. While I do not have an issue with anything with breastmilk in it, this is about as close to a blood product as you can get without being a blood product. This, while I think an amazing idea for health reasons, needs to be tightly regulated as KathyM says.

This should be being done in such a way that one visits a clinic, sees a doctor, is evaluated and screened, and spoken to about why they wish to donate. The milk should then be stored properly and screened before use. Then, the patient requiring it should be also seen by the doctor, screened, and a decision made if that is something that benefits them.

The only slight issue I have with just selling it for noveltys sake is that like others have said, there are MANY babies who should have breastmilk but for one or more reasons cannot. They should be the first and foremost for receiving donated milk, with cancer patients or immuno-compromised/otherwise ill coming in after this. Truly, iff this was done properly there should not even be milk left over to use for noveltys sake because I know for a fact in the western world at least there is much more demand for donated milk than there is supply. This is due in part to people thinking breastmilk of another woman for your baby or you is gross, icky or anything like that..

Look at it this way. IF someone were to tell a cancer patient "we have two options. We can give you chemo, and it will make you sick, or you can try breastmilk, and it may keep you from getting serious infections which could be fatal". Id choose the breastmilk for sure. Buckleys cough syrup is gross too, but it works.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by racee

lol don't really have a comment but i just glanced at the posting and almost died laughing. do babies really need ice cream?..do we really want to get them started on such sugary treats at an early age?

I think this ice cream is for big people .

[mgran]

Actually... a good point has been raised on this thread, the main problem I have with it is that this is being sold as a luxury to very rich people who don't need it, while there are people out there who actually do need it... prem babies not least.

[racee]

i haven't been able to post anything right latley....what makes me innocent? because i didn't read the whole posting...????
that just makes me an idiot for responding without informing myself , not innocent

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by racee

i guess thats what i get for not reading.the posting....i don't know how that makes me innocent though i gave my son shaved ice when he was a baby and his gums were hurting? so it makes sense to make ice cream why wqould you give breast milk to adults...just cause it comes out of a boob

I wasn't being mean...thought it was cute/funny that you thought this was for kids. I don't think it's makes you an idiot...I've responded many times without reading the whole article. I'll edit it out.

[racee]

why can't you give ice cream to kids it is breast milk right and it would make sense for when they teeth

[lynn P.]

I think it would be great to give this ice cream to kids but the article seems to imply this ice cream is for anyone, including adults. It's not sold or marketed as a baby or toddler product and that's what the article is about.

[danvb]

What I want to know is, WHERE the heck are they getting all that breast milk from?? I mean, if this ice cream maker is a commercial venture, they MUST have a reliable and adequate source of breast milk coming from SOMEWHERE!

I'm trying not to visualize a dairy milking barn... with people instead of cows... Hey, I said that I'm TRYING not to visualize it... but it's hard not to...

And what do YOU do for a living ma'am...? Hmmmmm...

[purple_fins]

I think it should be banned to the general public--

I've read HIV can be transmitted through breastmilk, and what about some STDs?? are they 100% sure that breastmilk won't carry those? and what if the contributor is a heroine addict, or meth addict--

How can one know what one is REALLY consuming???
at least cows don't snort cocaine, or shoot up heroine or spread sphyilis or gonorrhea..... breast milk ice cream???
You won't find me having any of it!
humans are not as innocent/pure creatures as animals are............. blah....

[EvilPopTart]

They're hardly going to serve icecream with a side of HIV, are they? They do put bad things in food, but it's legal bad things. Everything is run under food regulators. The food standards agency. They're not going to be taking milk out of random women now are they? These things have to be tested first.

"The company paid women who donated their breast milk after health screening. The Food Standards Agency says there are no specific laws prohibiting businesses from selling human milk products, but they must comply with general food safety laws to ensure the product is safe for consumption."

[purple_fins]

Originally Posted by EvilPopTart

They're hardly going to serve icecream with a side of HIV, are they? They do put bad things in food, but it's legal bad things. Everything is run under food regulators. The food standards agency. They're not going to be taking milk out of random women now are they? These things have to be tested first.

I think it's a bit naive to truly trust the food regulators....
there are so many reports of foods being improperly regulated and/or inspected.....
I sure don't put much faith in those organizations!
would you really want to trust them??

[EvilPopTart]

Who said I trusted food regulators? What I do believe in, is the corporate businesses insurmountable greed. And unless they are completely stupid, they wouldn't risk putting aids or HIV in a food product, unless it was completely by accident. But you are right, you shouldn't trust what you eat.

[MandiePoo]

Originally Posted by KathyM

I would have more faith in the product if the breast milk were stored in a hospital/medical "bank" under the same rules/policies as storing human blood. If a patient were in need of it in ice cream form, it wouldn't be so far-fetched to hand out some sort of recipe to make it a frozen "treat."

I wouldn't trust a chain like Starbucks or McDonalds to hand out blood to my loved ones in need - same goes for breast milk. I would not want to have to purchase breast milk at the local street fair or ice cream stand - or buy it from strangers over the internet.

Originally Posted by purple_fins

I think it should be banned to the general public--

I've read HIV can be transmitted through breastmilk, and what about some STDs?? are they 100% sure that breastmilk won't carry those? and what if the contributor is a heroine addict, or meth addict--

How can one know what one is REALLY consuming???
at least cows don't snort cocaine, or shoot up heroine or spread sphyilis or gonorrhea..... breast milk ice cream???
You won't find me having any of it!
humans are not as innocent/pure creatures as animals are............. blah....

Good points. Let me play devils advocate for a moment though?

My point is if this is done correctly and properly screened, whats the issue? And yes, breastmilk does carry SOME diseases, though you would probably be surprised at how few - hence why even mothers who have some diseases can still safely breastfeed.

Another question - do you also think that blood products of all kind should be banned from the public at all? Or, perhaps I am misunderstanding you here. Can you clarify what you mean by "public" - do you mean not anyone for consumption, or do you mean it shouldd only be done in a medical setting at all times? I think I actually agree with you on most of your points I am just not sure if i do for sure, because need clarification on that. Dont mind me, its been a long day and my brain is sort of weeeee all over the place rofl.

And where is the line drawn at when you stop screening or how much screening should be done? Should all the milk be tested, should the women be tested once and at regular intervals, freezing the milk until such time as they are proven to be free and clear, or should it just be a matter of warning those who choose to imbibe it that they do so at their own risk?

Even with donating blood, the screening process almost always works, and now a days, it is almost 100% effective. Now years ago, it was different - we didnt have tests for some diseases, or things slipped through. So its a possibility yes, but I know if i had terminal illness, and thought that the milk might help me, I would go for it. Providing that the women were screened at regular intervals.

I am also almost SURE that this would be something the FDA is carefully watching and screening as well. Foods cannot be approved until they are proven to be safe, though I will admit some of the chemicals used in food do not strike me as being safe

Really though, I think it should be set up much like some of the medical marijuana "shops" - where it is open to the public, but only those with a legitamite need for it, much like a prescription. That is how most of the milk banks around the country work - usually if it is for an infant who requires it the doctor will set it up and the parents pay for it, or not depending on their coverages.

Please dont think im being cantankerous, im not finny. Im actually interested and trying to figure out your position a little clearer.