Nurturing Health with Human Milk Testing
October 24, 2023

In an era marked by heightened awareness of health and wellbeing, the significance of human milk testing has taken on a new dimension. As modern lifestyles evolve and scientific understanding deepens, the advantages of analyzing the composition of human milk has become increasingly evident. Beyond its natural nutritional value, human milk can serve as a key source of information to gather deeper insights into maternal and infant health.
In recent times, the practice of sharing breast milk has surged in popularity. This growing trend is rooted in three main factors: a rise in awareness about the nutritional value of breast milk, an increase in understanding of the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, and a nation-wide formula shortage. In 2022, a manufacturing error caused major disruptions in the production and supply of baby formula, leaving shelves empty and placing unmanageable demands on milk banks. Between such a large-scale recall and the increased need for donated breast milk, the testing of human milk became a topic of concern and importance.
With the prevalence of prescription and over-the-counter medications, illicit drugs, and environmental toxins, the need to effectively screen human milk for the presence of such substances is evident. Comprehensive drug testing not only safeguards the infant from potential harm, but also gives those receiving donated milk peace of mind that what they are receiving is safe and free of harmful substances.
Neogen® has validated a specific panel of our ELISA test kits for human milk screening, and each kit is optimized to ensure we can provide a sensitive solution to this unique matrix. In line with our company mission to protect consumers and the world food supply, we aim to provide milk banks with simple, efficient testing options to instill confidence that the milk they are supplying is free of toxic drugs. We’re also experienced with establishing screening protocols for milk banks to efficiently screen a large number of samples and increase the overall safety of the milk they’re providing to infants in need. In addition to our test kits, we also offer a range of automation solutions to increase sample throughput and screening volumes, allowing your milk bank to screen more milk in less time with highly consistent overall results.
Explore our milk testing solutions and more.
Category: Toxicology, Healthcare, Public Health, Toxicology, Toxicology