They can now be employed as dairy cows. You know, so the dairy cows can have a break.
At least one Swiss restaurant has developed a new, innovative idea of using breastmilk in their soups, stews, and sauces. They buy the milk from donors. I wonder what the going rate is. I know cow milk over here is just over $3/gallon. I’m not sure I’d be willing to put that much effort into something that only warranted three measly dollar bills.
But, besides that, how would you feel about consuming human milk instead of cow’s? Honestly, I wouldn’t be deterred. I know there’s a hang-up in our county, and breastmilk is labeled “icky.” Why? Is it because it is secreted from human glands? You really prefer something secreted from cow glands?
Because you may soon have the option to choose which set of mammary glands you prefer – if PETA has its way, anyhow. They recently wrote Ben & Jerry’s to make the suggestion that they follow suit after the Swiss.
They declined, by the way, stating that human milk is intended for children, not ice cream.
I don’t care whose milk you use in my dessert. Frankly, I’d like to see some more goat milk options out there. But I have this image of women in stalls hooked up to pumps all day, enduring the same abuse that cows have for decades. Because, honestly, how much milk does a company like Ben & Jerry’s employ in a day? And how much milk would willing mothers be able to produce in a day? After, you know, they feed their own kids, of course. Because you aren’t putting us on any growth hormones, thankyouverymuch.
Breastmilk is healthier for humans, for sure. I won’t argue. But that’s not the only reason PETA is attempting to bring this change to America. They honestly want to reduce the cow-abuse by bringing in humans to help relieve the load.
I’d rather see the government give less subsidies to corn farmers and more to the farmers that treat their animals with dignity and care. We really don’t need anymore high fructose corn syrup, guys, but I could do without the pus in my milk created by overworked and thereby infected bovine mammary glands.
(What? You didn’t know you were pouring pus on your corn flakes? Read here for more than you can stomach on the subject.)
And, would you look at that, we got off subject.
So, breastmilk ice cream. Would you eat it?
For the complete letter PETA sent to Ben & Jerry’s, see the article here. Thanks for the link, Ashley!
Would these poor women have to endure the same as the cows? 🙂 Crappy food, crappy work environment. Man that would be one way to get the milk industry changed fast!
As to whether I would eat it? Hmm, it’s kind of one of those things I’d rather not know whats in my food. The idea of it is fine, but yes, it would me eek me out a bit. On the other hand, the farmer we get our milk from said that they actually used to be able to find breast milk in health food stores. I guess when some folks got sick they used it to boost their immunity.
and yea, milk.com will totally gross you out about the puss. I didn’t drink milk for over a week when I read that! 🙂
I saw that letter and I just about choked with laughter. PETA is filled with some rather “interesting” people. Having been a animal science major and after visiting a number of dairies I really think that a lot of the abuses to cows have been over played. The farmers want their animals to be healthy, healthy animals are more productive.
I actually think that organic dairies can be more abusive to the animals than non organic. They can’t give their cows antibiotics for any reason, so if they do get an infection where the use of antibiotics was warranted the farmer will let the animal suffer rather than taking the time to get it well again because the time involved in getting that animal recertified organic.
Oh, and cows are not hooked up to milking machines all day. They go in twice a day and are milked while enjoying a snack of tasty grain. Some farmers even play music for the cows.
I pumped milk for 14 months for my first son who could not nurse. It was actually an interesting experience. I had pretty good production but really the amount I was producing compared to a cow was quite small. The cost of milk would be quite high if we had to rely on on humans for our milk.
I totally would. Breastmilk is sweet, and if mine was any indication, has a super high cream content. And richness and sweetness are what make for good icecream.
But I also understand why cows are preferred. And Holsteins in particular. It’s all about quantity. Holsteins are huge producers, although, if you rate milk quality by richness, it’s not that high. Jerseys actually have a far higher butterfat content (and are cuter and sweeter—I love them, really), but being such a small cow don’t produce as much volume.
I personally hated my breastpump, though, and I don’t think you’d get too many takers to be human dairy cows.
Although, it’d give all new meaning to being a “milk maid”.
I keep getting this image of those mechanical breast feeders being hooked up to line of women in rocking chairs…
While I agree that there is a stigma against breast milk and breast feeding, doesn’t it taste a little weird? Like dairy milk gone sour? Plus I think there’s a very good biological reason that we’re weaned off of it at an early age (and not just because we get too big for our mothers’ laps). All the stuff in breast milk that’s good for babies to build immunity would come to be a detriment like too many antibiotics.
I had goat milk once and it was like drinking a glass of goat cheese, so I don’t think that would taste very good in my chubby hubby…
I told my Hubby yesterday about the PETA letter and he asked if I would pump milk if I were paid for it – heck yeah! Of course, my own child’s needs would come first. But if I had a hospital grade pump and were being paid, I’d do it!
And I would eat breastmilk ice cream too. I think it would have a better taste, or one that’s more palatable to humans, anyway.
I don’t think I would do it for money, too much work, but I might try pumping some and using it in my own recipes and see how it tastes and if anyone in the family notices
=)
I’d like to see PETA dealing with the millions of cows whom we’ve bred to be big producers and milked twice a day. You know, when all of a sudden they’re left in a field somewhere. With engorged udders.
Now THAT would be cruel.
I just think PETA’s a bit short sighted. Yes, we want to treat animals well and take care of their needs. But you want to just leave these animals that WE DOMESTICATED out in the wild on a reserve somewhere to die? Not nice.
hmm, maybe I should make some homemade ice cream with all that milk I have in the freezer. That would use it up right? wanna come over for some homemade ice cream? he he he
Hmmm… I dunno, I always disliked the smell of breastmilk; probably because it reminded me of spit-up. But yes, I agree it would be healthier for us. Anyway, I gave you a blog award…
Just wondering… If you know milk contains pus, do you still feed it to your children? I had no idea – now I will only buy milk from Meijer. Meijer milk does not contain the bovine growth hormone, so according to the article you linked to, it is less likely to contain pus.
What can we do other than that? Is soy milk really as healthy for kids as cow’s milk? Where can you get goat’s milk or other healthier alternatives? Actually, are they even healthier at all??
One more thing –
I heard that breastmilk has so much fat in it, that in Europe it is legally a junk food. You can supposedly buy it in cans or frozen bottles or something like that somewhere in Europe, but it is not healthy for adults because of the fat. The fat is needed for babies to grow, but not anyone else.
Although I bet ice cream would taste better with it – and you would need less sugar to sweeten it up. I would definitely try it.
Beth, your blog is definitely the only place that I would read about breastmilk ice cream. Thanks for keeping me informed =)
As a current pumper, I would say they’d have to pay me a heckuva LOT of money to pump for the general public. But I would probably consider it (for a lot of money), despite the inconvenience and pain.
I truly don’t think anything of this nature will ever come to pass, though, at least not for for PETA’s cause, anyway. Now, if they found out that breastmilk ice cream could take away wrinkles, make you thin, remove cellulite…then that’s another story!
I don’t know what it is though, about the thought of eating something made by another human’s body – I think many (if not most) people – Americans, anyway – would have a problem with it. I might be OK with my own, but someone else’s? Not sure about that.
Love the topic, btw.
Nancy
Considering how hard it is to get breastmilk for babies in NICU who really need it, I’m completely against the idea. Better uses for breastmilk than that.
Oh my goodness. Can you even IMAGINE?? (Well, I almost can…after breastfeeding twins…)
I think it’s funny that their response was that breastmilk is for children, not for ice cream. But cow’s milk is for calves. It’s not like there are ingredients found in nature which are specifically for ice cream…
Very good idea. With all the material available on this subject, I am very surprised nobody thought of this wonderfully thought out idea before now.
Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine.
Please let me know where you got your theme.
Kudos