Those donating their breast milk hailed
UNICEF on Wednesday condemned a company selling breast milk from "vulnerable and poor" Cambodian mothers to Americans, hitting out at the commercialisation of nutrients needed by babies inside the kingdom.The firms customers are American mothers who want to supplement their babies diets or cannot supply enough of their own milk.UNICEF -- the arm of the UN protecting children -- said excess breast milk should remain in Cambodia, one of Southeast Asias poorest countries, where many babies lack good nutrients.She said she earned USD 7.In videos posted on the Facebook page of Khun Meada, several mothers appealed to the government to let them sell their milk to the company.5- USD 10 a day and she knew at least 20 other mothers doing the same.The issue emerged this week after Cambodia said it had halted exports from Utah-based Ambrosia Labs, which claims to be the first of its kind to bank human breast milk sourced overseas and export it into the United States.
In previous press interviews the firm said its model encouraged Cambodian women to continue breast feeding, earned them much needed extra income and helped plug milk bank shortages in the US.The milk is pumped in Cambodia, frozen and shipped to the US where it is pasteurised and sold by the company for USD 20 each 5 oz (147 ml) pack -- roughly the volume of half a can of Coke.The office, which is labelled Khun Meada (mothers gratitude), was closed and women who sold their milk said they had been told operations were suspended..Chea Sam, a 30-year-old mother, told AFP during an interview last week that she had been selling her breast milk for the last three months following the birth of her son.
On Monday Cambodias customs department said it had stopped exports temporarily "because the product comes from a human organ" adding the government planned to hold talks on whether to let the trade continue.Malnutrition "remains a threat to childrens wellbeing in Cambodia, and proper breastfeeding is one of the key factors contributing to a childs good health and nutrition", she added.Ambrosia Labs did not respond to repeated requests for comment.Those donating their breast milk hailed from poor communities in Cambodias capital Power Cables Manufacturers Phnom Penh, where the scheme helped families top up meagre incomes.AFP visited the offices of Ambrosia Labs last week in Stung Meanchey, a poor suburb of Phnom Penh."Breast milk could be considered as human tissue, the same as blood, and as such its commercialisation should be banned," she said. "Breast milk banks should never be operated by exploiting vulnerable and poor women for profit and commercial purposes," said Iman Morooka, the agency spokeswoman in Cambodia.Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng declined to comment on the issue when contacted by AFP on Wednesday
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