Today’s special is … breastmilk soup!
A gastronomist in the Swiss city of Winterthur announced earlier this week that he will serve traditional Swiss dishes in his restaurant that will be special and unique. He will substitute the usual cream or fresh milk in the recipes with breastmilk. He actually started advertising for breast milk donors.
His announcement sparked heated discussions in all sectors – the health authorities, the restaurant association, and the consumers of course. The food safety authorities were at a loss – human breast milk is not on the list of milk of animal species approved for human consumption. Yet, nobody can deny that breastmilk is fit for human consumption. Breastmilk is the best food for our babies. However, there is the question of quality control and safety. Some diseases, including HIV, can be transmitted from the mother to the child through breastmilk.
Fearing a backlash, the chef made a statement yesterday that he won’t push through with his gastronomic plans. No breast milk on the menu. But the idea was sown and it won’t be the last time that people will try it out again.
After doing a bit of research, I found out that the Swiss chef wasn’t the first one to come up with the idea.
An article from smh Australia way back in 2003 reported about a restaurant in Chnagsha, China which served dishes prepared with breastmilk from 6 peasant women who, aside from supplying milk to the restaurant, were also breastfeeding little children of their own. The report sparked outrage all over China after the owner announced his intention of expanding his business to specially prepared “breast milk banquets.”
Tell us what you think. Would you sell your breastmilk for gastronomic purposes? Would you eat in a restaurant serving breastmilk-prepared dishes?
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