Neolacta Lifesciences assures customers and hospitals on the safety, quality and continued supply of our products across India during this critical period to support the health and survival of premature babies.
Neolacta Lifesciences is the only company in India and Asia to have developed 100% human milk products which address the needs of neonatal nutrition and thus play a critical role in supporting the “intact survival” of premature babies.
As an “Essential Business” providing life-saving products to serve the nutritional needs of preterm infants, our manufacturing facility continues to operate and we are actively working with our logistics and distribution partners to ensure that timely supplies are available at the hospital NICUs.
COVID-19 and breast milk – Latest updates
In a recent study conducted in China, a group of 6 mothers who were found to be COVID positive were further evaluated. There was no evidence of the virus in their samples of breast milk, cord blood, amniotic fluid, or throat swabs of their newborns (Chen et al; 2020).
COVID-19 is a novel virus and thus research data is limited. Existing information about SARS and MERS (genetically similar viruses) provides valuable information in evaluating virus transmission and inactivation. Studies reported complete heat inactivation of SARS and MERS, specifically with heat treatment at 600C for 30 minutes (Miriam & Taylor, 2006; Rabenau et; 2005; Van Doremalen, 2014). All donor milk collected by Neolacta Lifesciences milk bank undergoes heat treatment using Holder Pasteurization method at 62.50C for 30 minutes.
WHO guidance on breast feeding during COVID-19 suggests that breastfeeding protects newborns from getting sick and also helps protect them throughout their infancy and childhood. Breastfeeding is particularly effective against infectious diseases because it strengthens the immune system by directly transferring antibodies from the mother. WHO also recommends babies to be fed with donor mother milk if baby’s own mother is too unwell with COVID-19.
FDA has declared that there is no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person route of transmission. Foodborne exposure is not a known route of transmission.
Quality and Safety: Neolacta 100% human milk products
Neolacta’s processing facility is an ISO 22000 and GMP certified pharmaceutical grade unit with ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanrooms. All donor breast milk is subjected to Holder’s pasteurization which is recommended by WHO to ensure product safety.
All products undergo stringent quality/safety checks at each stage of collection and processing.
- Donors are screened for medical conditions and any underlying risks. Thereafter, serum is tested for HIV1 &2, syphilis, Hepatitis B and C.
- Collected donor milk is screened for its microbial quality, post which it undergoes Holder’s Pasteurization
- Finally, product quality and safety are reassured by microbial analysis including tests for pathogens.
References
Chen, H., Guo, J., Wang, C., Luo, F. L., Yu, X., Zhang, W., Li, W, et al. (2020) Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: A retrospective review of medical records. The Lancet. Advanced online publication. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30360-3
Chen, H., Guo, J., Wang, C., Luo, F. L., Yu, X., Zhang, W., Li, W, et al. (2020) Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: A retrospective review of medical records. The Lancet. Advanced online publication. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30360-3
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices-perspectives-fda-leadership-and-experts/fda-offers-assurance-about-food-safety-and-supply-people-and-animals-during-covid-19
van Doremalen, N., Bushmaker, T., Karesh, W. B., & Munster, V. J. (2014). Stability of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Milk. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 20(7), 1263-1264. DOI:10.3201/eid2007.140500
WHO advice on breastfeeding during the COVID-19 outbreak, http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/breastfeeding-advice-during-covid-19-outbreak.html
