Ice cream made from breast milk was banned from London gourmet shop the Icrecreamists, based on a complaint regarding a perceived health risk. The mother’s milk was screened at a leading medical clinic, pasteurized, and then served in a martini glass with lemon zest and vanilla for about $22.50.
The compliant was filed by two men, who reported it to the Westminster council. The legal response was a prompt removal of the ice cream based on the need to test it as “fit for human consumption.” The main concern was hepatitis, though according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this should not be an issue, “the Universal Precautions to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus, and other bloodborne pathogens do not apply to human milk.”
Founder Matt O’Connor has come to the defense of his banned “Baby Gaga” ice cream, tweeting, “All milk rig screened at clinic. If bad for ice cream, bad for babies – close London’s Milk Banks!” and “Westmnstr Cncl tell The Icecreamists Breast Milk poss public health haz. V dang. Best stick to Jack Daniels when feeding babies nxt time.”
It’s interesting to note that only humans consume the milk of other animals. Baby Gaga, which was made from the milk of one mother, was sold out before the ban.
