Is human milk a biohazard?

Human milk is not included in the standard’s definition of potentially infectious materials and no special precautions exist for the handling of expressed human milk, nor does the milk require special biohazard labeling.1 The Universal Precautions to prevent the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus, and other blood-borne pathogens do not apply to the handling of human milk.2

This statement is, however, made in the context of breastfeeding and HIV and other blood-borne pathogens with regard to handling. It does not refer to milksharing situations and consumption of donor milk, nor does it imply that screening and/or pasteurizing are unnecessary in a milksharing situation.

Next: How can breastmilk be expressed?

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  1. OHSA – Breast milk does not constitute occupational exposure as defined by standard ↩︎
  2. CDC – Perspectives in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Update: Universal Precautions for Prevention of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and Other Bloodborne Pathogens in Health-Care Settings ↩︎