Medical experts warn that drinking breast milk as an adult may pose health risks and could enable transmission of several infections. Reports indicate that coffee shops in Perm were selling beverages prepared with breast milk, prompting regulatory scrutiny from the consumer protection agency. Health officials stress that milk can carry a range of pathogens and should be handled with extreme caution in any setting intended for adults.
According to a genome virologist, numerous viruses can be present in human milk, including hepatitis B and C, cytomegalovirus, West Nile virus, HTLV, and HIV. While influenza viruses may also be transmitted via milk, such cases are rare. The expert notes that the potential harm from a cup of coffee containing breast milk likely outweighs any unproven benefits, and there is a lack of solid research demonstrating advantages for adults who drink it.
The virologist explains that immunoglobulins found in milk play a crucial role for infants, helping to protect them as their immune systems develop. In adults, the same antibodies exist, but their protective value in a beverage is unclear. The question remains: what benefit could an adult obtain from a cappuccino with breast milk that contains these antibodies yet lacks proven efficacy? The absence of mature research on this issue is evident.
Making breast milk safe for adult consumption would require rigorous testing and costly procedures, which could undermine commercial viability. If regulators were to permit sale, it would hinge on direct product testing rather than health claims about the donor. Tests would need to detect antibodies, viral particles, and nucleic acids to provide a meaningful assessment of safety. Even then, such testing would be expensive and could still offer only a high, not absolute, guarantee of virus-free milk.
Pasteurization has been suggested as a way to reduce viral risk, but it raises concerns about preserving the activity of antibodies and milk proteins. Although human milk is widely viewed as a nutrient source for babies, applying heat could diminish certain beneficial components. Regulators stress that reputable controls and independent testing would be necessary to ensure that pasteurized milk truly lacks live viral particles. Without robust verification, the risk explanation remains inadequate and the perceived utility of the product is questionable.
The milk supplier, a cafe owner, reported sourcing several liters daily from new mothers and distributing the product to a few local venues. The beverage is sold at a premium price, reflecting the novelty and regulatory attention. The owner claimed that a portion of customers purchase the drink each day, and there are plans to expand the operation. The supplier also notes that donors provide health certificates at the time of birth to accompany the milk supply. Public health authorities subsequently opened inspections at the participating cafes to assess compliance and safety measures.
Experts and officials agree that further investigation and standardized testing are essential to determine whether any adult-focused product could be offered under stringent safety protocols. Until such measures are established, the consensus remains that adult consumption of breast milk carries uncertain risks and limited proven benefits, warranting cautious handling and clear regulatory guidance. [CITATION: health authorities and virology experts]