Breast Milk the Not So Secret Ingredient at Swiss Restaurant

September 19, 2008

The secret ingredient is mother's milk, only it's no secret! A Swiss restaurateur plans to roll out a new menu with decadent soups, sauces and stews made with breast milk. The owner of Storchen, Hans Locher, does not see any controversy in using the natural ingredient as babies are raised on it. What raised eyebrows is when he started soliciting the services of lactating women. One report said:

Mr Locher attracted the attention of the leading media of the German-speaking world this week after he posted ads looking for women donors, who will receive just over three pounds for 14 ounces of their milk.

The chef said that he blends a bit of cream with the milk for consistency, but only service will show whether or not patrons will indulge. Would you?

29 Comments

Shiza 4 years 35 weeks

@Great: Sure. But most people do buy generic brands. "So cow's milk is always contaminated when conventionally produced" (my quote) = generic brands Sterilized utter or not: most "bad" substances are IN the milk (again, I'm talking about factory farming). I have seen dairies, talked to farmers and vets, that's why I arrogate to write about such things. :) Even if not for ethical reasons, I wouldn't consume cow's milk for my own health, organic or not. I wouldn't drink human's milk either, but if I had to choose, I'd prefer human's milk, because it is at least made for a human body. That is a personal thing, too. Besides, I criticised primarily the "ewwwww"'s when it comes to breast milk while people have no problem drinking other animals' mother's milk (that's a common reaction). It's an acquired aversion, I guess. @Greggie: Okay, that is an extreme example. :D But in general, I assume they do control the milk regularly. They presumably don't allow themselves to risk such a scandal.

Shiza 4 years 35 weeks

Greggie 4 years 35 weeks

And what's in the cow's milk is approved for use, that's not at all always true for breastmilk. I can easily stop nursing my daughter, start snorting cocaine, and donate milk. Doesn't make it safe for human consumption.

Great Sommelier 4 years 35 weeks

Shiza, that isn't true at all. There are many options for milk besides the generic brand at the store. You can buy pure organic milk that is nothing but grass fed. Also, have you ever seen a dairy. The utters are completely sterilized before milking.

Great Sommelier 4 years 35 weeks

:sick: This is such a personal thing. I can't imagine drinking anyone else's. I only tasted mine once.

Great Sommelier 4 years 35 weeks

:sick: This is such a personal thing. I can't imagine drinking anyone else's. I only tasted mine once.

Shiza 4 years 35 weeks

The recipient of cow's milk is always getting meds, chemicals and hormones because the cow gets meds, chemicals and hormones (and of course produces hormones during the pregnancy). You can't just "filter" them or something. So cow's milk is always contaminated when conventionally produced, and sometimes even when organic. Besides I am sure that the breast milk is checked for chemicals or other "substances" ;-) before used. Europe is not a "free to do everything you like"-zone, and most countries do have stricter requirements in the gastronomic sector than in the U.S. And regarding "safe for human consumption": Depends on the perspective. ;-) Of course traces of antibiotics, pesticides, medicaments and a good amount of hormones are somehow safe... if you appreciate them.

Shiza 4 years 35 weeks

The recipient of cow's milk is always getting meds, chemicals and hormones because the cow gets meds, chemicals and hormones (and of course produces hormones during the pregnancy). You can't just "filter" them or something. So cow's milk is always contaminated when conventionally produced, and sometimes even when organic. Besides I am sure that the breast milk is checked for chemicals or other "substances" ;-) before used. Europe is not a "free to do everything you like"-zone, and most countries do have stricter requirements in the gastronomic sector than in the U.S.And regarding "safe for human consumption": Depends on the perspective. ;-) Of course traces of antibiotics, pesticides, medicaments and a good amount of hormones are somehow safe... if you appreciate them.

Greggie 4 years 35 weeks

The article doesn't say what testing and things he'd do, which is why I think he's out of his mind. But for general milk donation, it goes through testing and many other procedures to be sure the recipient isn't getting any meds or chemicals. The restaurant owner would be wise to research that before serving. Then again, he's not in the US so he may not be as open to a lawsuit as he would be if it were done here.

Greggie 4 years 35 weeks

sarasonne 4 years 35 weeks

Maybe he should try baby formula as a "new" ingredient instead.

sarasonne 4 years 35 weeks

Oh haaaaail no. I don't think his restaurant is going to last.Also, although cows are subjected to artificial hormones and other things, cow's milk is put through tests by the FDA to make sure it's safe for human consumption. Who is to say that just b/c a woman is lactating that she isn't smoking someting (this is europe), on prescription medication or exposed to other chemicals that effect her milk.

sarasonne 4 years 35 weeks

Oh haaaaail no. I don't think his restaurant is going to last. Also, although cows are subjected to artificial hormones and other things, cow's milk is put through tests by the FDA to make sure it's safe for human consumption. Who is to say that just b/c a woman is lactating that she isn't smoking someting (this is europe), on prescription medication or exposed to other chemicals that effect her milk.

Shiza 4 years 35 weeks

Sorry, but I assume that all of you are consuming dairy products, aren't you? Cow's milk is mother's milk, too - and I bet that a cow's udder is not as clean as a woman's nipple and cow's milk is full of pesticides, artificial hormones and drugs. So ridiculous to say "Ewww" when it comes to our own species' mother's milk while brainlessly consuming other animals' milk which in contrast to human milk is not even healthy for human beings.

Shiza 4 years 35 weeks