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Breast Milk Ice Cream Seized From London Store

Council officials seized Baby Gaga ice cream made from mothers' breast milk this week. Last week, The Icecreamists shop that makes and sells the ice cream posted a note that it was sold out of its supply.
Ben Stanstall
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AFP/Getty Images
Council officials seized Baby Gaga ice cream made from mothers' breast milk this week. Last week, The Icecreamists shop that makes and sells the ice cream posted a note that it was sold out of its supply.

Ice cream containing mothers' breast milk has been confiscated from a London shop that caused a stir — and some long lines — when it introduced the product last week. Westminster Council officials say the flavor, dubbed Baby Gaga, must undergo testing to ensure it doesn't pose a health threat.

"Selling foodstuffs made from another person's bodily fluids can lead to viruses being passed on and in this case, potentially hepatitis," said Brian Connell of the Westminster Council, according to Reuters.

According to the news agency, Icecreamists founder Matt O'Connor calls the council's concerns "complete rubbish."

"If the ice cream is not safe, then these mothers pose a serious risk to their babies," O'Connor told Reuters.

As reported last week, the shop acquired the breast milk from more than a dozen mothers. O'Connor has said that the milk is then tested in line with hospital procedures for blood donations, to make sure no viruses or contaminants are present.

Discussing the seizure of Baby Gaga supplies , a representative of the Icreamist said, "just told by West Cncl it was 2 men who complained about Breast Milk Ice Cream. Ironic eh?"

A spokeswoman from Westminster City Council says that it is seeking advice from from Britain's Food Standards Agency on the best way to deal with the unusual ice cream.

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Bill Chappell is a writer and editor on the News Desk in the heart of NPR's newsroom in Washington, D.C.