Centre directs Karnataka govt to cancel licenses for commercialisation of breast milk: High court told

NEW DELHI: The Union government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka high court that it had directed the state government to revoke licenses granted to private companies allowing them to collect, process, and commercialise human breast milk. The high court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a person named Munegowda, who raised concerns about multinational corporations profiting from the collection and sale of breast milk.

The Union Ministry of Ayush, responsible for traditional medicine systems, directed the Karnataka government to cancel licenses permitting companies to collect, process, and sell breast milk. Several licenses, initially granted under Ayurvedic practices, have been revoked.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka Arvind Kamath told a bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind that the Union Ministry of Ayush had recently instructed the Karnataka government to take action against such licenses. Following these directions, several licenses issued to private firms were rescinded by the State government

Kamath said, “The central government has mandated the State to cancel all such licenses. Some companies had initially received these licenses under Ayurvedic norms, which permitted the commercial use of human breast milk. However, the Centre has now intervened, and the State has complied by canceling some of these licenses. At least one company has already had its license revoked, and it has since challenged this cancellation in the High Court."

The High Court, presided over by Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind, will hear the case again on December 4th. The court has also asked Munegowda to include the Union Ministry of Ayush as a respondent in the case.

Advocate B Visveswaraiah, representing Munegowda, highlighted the high prices of packaged breast milk, presenting a 50ml bottle sold for Rs 1,239 and a 10-gram packet of powdered breast milk priced at Rs 313.

The Union government argues that the commercialisation of breast milk is not permitted under current regulations. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the nascent breast milk industry in India.

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