Phnom Penh - Some Cambodian mothers have been selling their breast milk to women in the US, in a controversial practice that has now been banned. But the case has raised questions about whether these women have been exploited, or empowered, by this enterprise. For the past two years, dozens of women have been supplying their excess breast milk to a company called Ambrosia Labs. The company has been processing and selling the milk in the US. It was marketed at US mothers who have problems producing milk for their babies. On Tuesday, Cambodia imposed an immediate ban on breast milk exports, effectively ending the business.
It is unclear why it has acted now, although this follows recent bans on other controversial practices such as organ trafficking and surrogacy. Health officials said earlier they were investigating as "the product comes from a human organ". Several countries run milk banks, where women can donate milk to needy babies. Breast milk is also sold via websites and private networks, and is a thriving niche industry despite some countries' restrictions. Children's charity Unicef said the practice was "exploiting vulnerable and poor women for profit and commercial purposes", and said breast milk should not be commercialised. Ambrosia had set up shop in Stung Meanchey, an area near the capital Phnom Penh and known for its poverty, and reportedly approached women in the area. Reports said Ambrosia paid them the equivalent of $0.50 per ounce (£0.40 per 28ml), while selling the milk for eight times that price in the US. Critics say the practice encourages mothers to sell their breast milk instead of giving it to their own babies.(FA)