Statement to support use of pasteurized donor breast milk
Breast milk is crucial for newborn infants' nourishment. Islamic teachings encourage mothers to breastfeed, but if unable or medically unable, another woman may offer breast milk which will be provided to the child after pasteurization.
The baby's mother's milk is always the first priority, and only if the baby needs more milk, then pasteurised donor breast milk (PDBM) will be supplied as it is important for the child's growth.
Breast milk of any mother is Halal for Muslim babies. PDBM from a breast milk bank reduces serious and lethal complications and infections in preterm and low birth weight babies. While Islam considers the woman who provides direct breastfeeding as the child's mother and prohibits the child from marrying the children of such women (milk kinship). Thus, breastfeeding is a foster relationship in Islam. Nevertheless, PDBM primarily serves as medicine and are fed through feeding tubes, bottles or cups (not direct suckling), thus permissible.
The Imams and Trustees agree to feed or treat newborns with breast milk from other mothers for their growth or health, which is allowed in Islam.
The Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank confirms that both donors and babies' information and identity will be kept confidential and used solely for medical management, however upon request, parents could be provided with anonymised screening data of women whose milk was being used if required for the baby's health.
The above is unanimously agreed by Local Muftis/Imams, The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong and supported by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
Saeed Uddin, S.B.S., M.H.
Chairman
The Incorporated Trustees of the
Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong
Mufti Muhammad Arshad
Chief Imam of Hong Kong
19 January 2026
Registered office: 40 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: (+852) 2838 9417
Fax: (+852) 2891 9559
Email: trustees@netvigator.com
Website: www.islamictrusthk.org
All correspondence to be addressed to P. O. Box No. 47206, Morrison Hill Post Office, Wan Chai, Hong Kong