Breast Milk Ice Cream: A Culinary Curiosity or a Trend to Watch?

Imagine walking into a store and seeing a tub of ice cream labeled “Breast Milk Flavor.” Would you laugh? Feel grossed out? Or would you be secretly curious?

You’re not alone. That exact curiosity is why the internet is buzzing after Frida, a popular baby brand in the US, announced a breast milk-flavored ice cream—yes, you read that right. It is not made from actual breast milk but is made to taste like it. And here’s the twist: you’ll have to wait nine months to get your hands on it. A nod to pregnancy, obviously.

Let’s break down what’s really going on here and whether this is just a marketing gimmick or the start of something new and oddly...educational?

So, what's the deal? Recently, Frida, a popular baby brand in the US, announced they're launching a breast milk-flavored ice cream to celebrate their new 2-in-1 manual breast pump. In a cheeky marketing move, they're making customers wait nine months to try it, just like an actual pregnancy! Talk about commitment to the theme!

Now, before you get too shocked, let's clarify something—this ice cream isn't made from actual breast milk. US food regulators haven't approved human breast milk for commercial food products. Instead, Frida is creating a "pitch-perfect representation" that mimics the flavor and nutritional profile of the real thing.

According to the company, their ice cream aims to taste sweet and nutty with a hint of salt, supposedly similar to actual breast milk. They're also packing it with nutrients found in breast milk like Omega-3 fats, lactose carbs, and vitamins, including iron, calcium, B, D, and zinc.

You might be wondering: Do mothers actually consume their own breast milk? Surprisingly, yes! According to Frida, studies suggest that around 70% of women have tried their own breast milk at some point. And it's not just moms—apparently, 29% of men are curious about tasting it, too!

The internet has plenty of anecdotes from mothers who've sampled their own milk, with many describing it as tasting like "cereal milk" – that sweet leftover milk after eating a bowl of sugary cereal. Some mothers have even incorporated small amounts of their excess breast milk into cooking, though this remains far from mainstream.

Even celebrities are openly discussing breast milk consumption! Brody Jenner admitted to putting his fiancée Tia Blanco's breast milk in their morning coffees after the birth of their daughter. Kourtney Kardashian Barker revealed she drank a glass of her own breast milk when feeling sick. And Ashley Graham has also been open about tasting her "liquid gold."

As you might expect, social media had a lot to say about this unusual product announcement. Some users were convinced it must be an early April Fool's joke, while others pointed out the irony of people being shocked at the idea while happily consuming ice cream made from cow's milk. One commenter wisely noted: "I mean, why is this so shocking when ice cream is literally made from a cow's breast milk?"

This quirky product launch actually highlights something interesting about our relationship with human milk versus animal milk. We don't think twice about consuming dairy from cows, goats, or sheep, but the idea of consuming human milk products often elicits squeamish reactions. Frida's campaign cleverly plays with this discomfort and curiosity.

Meanwhile, other breast milk-adjacent products are gaining attention too. Colostrum supplements (the first form of breast milk produced during pregnancy) have become popular in wellness circles for their supposed immune-boosting properties.

So here's the million-dollar question: Would you give breast milk ice cream a taste? Whether you're in the "absolutely not" camp or the "I'm intrigued" group, you'll have to wait those full nine months if you want to try Frida's version.

Even if you are with that 30% who remain hesitant, you can certainly appreciate the conversation this unusual product has started. It's got us talking about breastfeeding, our sometimes contradictory food norms, and the amazing properties of breast milk all at once.

What do you think? Would you give breast milk (or at least, breast milk-flavored) ice cream a lick? Either way, it’s a tasty topic worth talking about!