FDA: Goat’s milk not a substitute for breastfeeding

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against substituting goat’s milk for breast milk as falsely claimed by a Facebook group “Dairy Goat Philippines.”

In an advisory posted on its website, the agency stressed that there is no truth to the claims on the Facebook page that goat’s milk can be a breastfeeding substitute.

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“The public is warned that claims on the use of goat’s milk… as an alternate or substitute for breastmilk undermines the importance and relevance of breastfeeding as the source of adequate and safe nutrition for infants,” it said.

The agency made the clarification in its FDA advisory number 2017-001.

On the Facebook page Dairy Goat Philippines, the group claimed that goat’s milk has more bioactive components needed for infant development.

The group said goat’s milk has “a unique protein profile, which makes it easy to digest” and the right protein quality making it “ideal for babies who are prone to allergies.”

However, the FDA said such claims violate executive order number 51 or the “National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplement and Other Related Products.”

“Therefore, the public is discouraged to patronize the promotional schemes of Dairy Goat Philippines in promoting goat’s milk in place of breastmilk and breastfeeding,” the advisory said.

The agency maintained that breast milk remains to be the best food for babies up to two years and above and that there is no equal substitute for breast milk.

Under the law, such false claims may mean sanctions of imprisonment of two months to one year and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000. RAM