Public warned not to use imported breastmilk donations to feed babies

Renee Ghert-Zand is the health reporter and a feature writer for The Times of Israel.

An undated photo of bottled breastmilk. (Magen David Adom)
An undated photo of bottled breastmilk. (Magen David Adom)

Magen David Adom reports that breastmilk shipments have arrived in the country from abroad and warns the public not to use the milk.

“This milk from other countries has not been checked and could endanger the lives of babies, and even lead to their deaths,” MDA said.

Since the beginning of the war a week ago, MDA’s national breastmilk bank has supplied milk for babies of women who are missing or have been killed, injured, kidnapped, or have been called to IDF reserve duty.

MDA is cooperating with the Health Ministry in this effort, which meets strict standards for checking donated breastmilk and ensuring its safety.

“Breastmilk that has been transferred specifically to Israel without supervision could be a way of introducing poisons that could hurt babies,” said MDA national breastmilk bank director Dr. Sharron Bransburg-Zabary.

“The national breastmilk bank acts in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration food protection guidelines to prevent dangerous tampering,” she said.

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