FSMPs containing human breast milk 

The Superior Health Council advises against the commercialisation of foods for special medical purposes (FSMPs) containing breast milk intended for premature babies with (very) low birth weight. This advice is based on several considerations:

  • it has not been demonstrated that these products can meet the high needs of premature babies,
  • they are no more effective in reducing death and illness than similar cow's milk-based FSMPs,
  • more so, they may even reduce the benefits of raw breast milk,
  • moreover, there are no satisfactory clinical studies demonstrating the tolerability of these FSMPs,
  • they involve additional financial costs,
  • and finally, if mothers can be paid to donate their milk, it may lead to conflicts between the welfare of their child and the socio-economic needs of the family.