For long-term storage, leite materno is best kept in freezers of -20 degrees C or colder. The basic principles of freezing dictate that frozen foods at -18C (0F) are indefinitely safe from bacterial contamination, although enzymatic processes inherent in food could persist, with possible changes in milk quality.¹ Viruses such as CMV and HTLV are reduced or eliminated.² Hopefully, more research will be done regarding cold temperatures as milk treatment.

See the section on CMV  e HTLV for more information about the promising effect of cold treatment of viruses.

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1. Protocolo Clínico ABM #8: Informações de armazenamento de leite humano para uso doméstico para bebês a termo ↩︎
2. Dr.. John May, e outros. 2005. Mesas La Trobe ↩︎