The Impact of Maternal Diet on Donor Human Milk: EMBA Working Group Update

As a result of the IMAGINE-HMB Project and the IMPLEMENT-SoHO Project, the EMBA Working Groups were temporarily paused but these will soon become active again, starting with ‘The Impact of Maternal Diet on Donor Human Milk’.

In response to the discussions within this group, EMBA surveyed milk banks in Europe to find out what questions and practices were in place when recruiting donors.
The findings were published in 2023 in Maternal and Child Nutrition:
Vegan/vegetarian diet and human milk donation: an EMBA survey across European milk banks. The co-authors were: Serena Gandino, Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura, Karolina Karcz, Tanya Cassidy, Aleksandra Wesolowska, Barbara Królak-Olejnik, Daniel Klotz, Sertac Arslanoglu, Jean-Charles Picaud, Clair-Yves Boquien, Enrico Bertino, Guido E. Moro, Gillian Weaver

Former members will be invited to join the next meeting and in addition new members are welcome. If you are interested in the influence of maternal diet on donor human milk, are willing to take an active part in the workings of the group and are a current member of EMBA (2026 – 2027) please contact Gillian Weaver (gillian@humanmilkfoundation.org) who is the group co-ordinator. The first meeting will take place in September 2026 prior to the EMBA Research Congress (https://www.milkbanking.eu/blog/save-the-date-5th-international-donor-milk-research-congress ).

The Gift of Donor Human Milk

The European Milk Bank Association (EMBA) is very pleased to invite you to the first webinar of the 2026 series organized in collaboration with Medela Medical Affairs. 

Join us for a powerful conversation between expert neonatologist Prof. Daniel Klotz and anthropologist Prof. Tanya Cassidy in a live session that will bring together two complementary perspectives to explore how neonatal care can advance when clinical excellence and deeply human experience are equally valued.

Please see below the agenda and share this invitation with the members of your organization or local network. This session will be chaired by EMBA President, Prof. Clair-Yves Boquien (France), and attendees will be able to participate asking questions in the final discussion session.

Click here for FREE REGISTRATION!

THE GIFT OF DONOR HUMAN MILK: Overcoming Clinical Barriers While Recognizing Parental Roles in Neonatal Care

📅 Date: June 9th⏰ Time: 3:00 PM CEST / 9:00 AM EST USA📍 Format: LIVE SESSION ENGLISH

Agenda:

🎙️ Moderator:
Prof. Clair-Yves Boquien, PhD, EMBA – President, France

📌 Agenda:

·       Clinical Aspects of Milk Donation: Overcoming Barriers and Shaping Solutions in Neonatal Care – Prof. Daniel Klotz

Prof. Daniel Klotz will explore the global landscape of human milk banking, its proven impact on neonatal outcomes and the persistent barriers that limit access. From policy gaps and logistics to donor recruitment and education, this session focuses on practical, evidence-based solutions and international collaboration to scale sustainable milk banking systems.

·       Parents at the Heart of Human Milk Donation: Voices of Donors and Recipients – Prof. Tanya M. Cassidy

Prof. Tanya M. Cassidy will share insights from over 20 years of international qualitative research with donor and recipient families. Through moving narratives, from bereaved mothers who donate in memory of their child to families relying on donor milk in the NICU, this talk explores the emotional, ethical, and relational dimensions that give donor milk its meaning.

Join us and invite your network to attend to reflect, learn, and help shape a future where donor human milk is accessible, ethical, and centered on families.

5th International Donor Milk Research Congress: Save the Date and Abstract Submission

September 25th, 2026 • Milan, Italy

The European Milk Banking Association (EMBA) is proud to announce the 5th International Donor Milk Research Congress, taking place in the beautiful city of Milan, Italy on September 25th, 2026.

About the Congress

Join us for this premier international gathering dedicated to advancing donor milk research and milk banking practices worldwide. This congress brings together researchers, clinicians, milk bank professionals, policymakers, and advocates to share the latest scientific findings, clinical innovations, and best practices in donor human milk.

The programme will include:

* Key updates from the EU-funded IMAGINE-HMB project

* Presentations highlighting recent advances in donor human milk research

* 12 short oral presentations selected through an open call

Abstract submissions are now open, and we warmly encourage members to submit their work and to share this opportunity within their professional networks.

Submission deadline: 15 July 2026

Application link: https://biomedia.net/16286/

Registration fees:

EMBA members € 30,00

Non members € 60,00

Why Attend?

• Cutting-Edge Research: Discover the latest scientific developments in donor milk composition, processing, and clinical applications

• Global Networking: Connect with leading experts and professionals from milk banks across Europe and around the world

• Knowledge Exchange: Share experiences, challenges, and solutions with colleagues working to improve access to safe donor milk

• Clinical Excellence: Learn about innovative approaches to milk banking operations and quality assurance

• Policy & Advocacy: Engage in discussions about expanding donor milk access and strengthening milk banking infrastructure

Who Should Attend?

• Neonatologists and pediatricians

• Milk bank directors and coordinators

• Lactation consultants and specialists

• Researchers in human milk science

• Hospital administrators

• Public health professionals

• Parent advocates and support organizations

Stay Connected

More information about registration, abstract submission, accommodation, and the scientific program will be announced soon.

Follow our updates and join us in Milan for this landmark event in donor milk research!

New EMBA Board elected in Venice

During the 8th EMBA Congress, the General Assembly of EMBA members elected the 2025–2028 EMBA Board and Officers:
President: Clair-Yves Boquien (France), Vice-President: Nadia Raquel Garcia (Spain), Treasurer: Enrico Bertino (Italy), Secretary: Serena Gandino (UK), Sertaç Aslanoğlu (Türkiye), Tanya Cassidy (Ireland), Daniel Klotz (Germany), Guido Moro (Italy), Gabriela Olędzka (Poland), Jean-Charles Picaud (France), Aleksandra Wesołowska (Poland)

EMBA-Bord elected at the 8th international Conference in Venice 2025

We warmly thank Past President Sertaç Aslanoğlu for her outstanding leadership over the last three years, as well as Past Treasurer Guido Modo and Past Board Member Corinna Gebauer for their long-standing contributions.
The new Board is ready to continue advancing human milk banking across Europe through collaboration, research, and shared expertise.

Iran established The Human Milk Bank Association (Committee) of I.R. Iran (HMBAI) to promote breastfeeding and human milk banks in the country

The Human Milk Bank Association of I.R. Iran (HMBAI) was established on 28 April 2024 with the collaboration of the Iranian Scientific Breastfeeding Promotion Society (I.R.I BFPS ). Iran have 13 active human milk banks (and two will be added shortly) in different parts of the country in 2024 and it is the first in the number of milk banks in the Middle East. There is a plan for increasing the number of milk banks as a need to decrease the mortality and morbidity of infants as a national need.

During a meeting with the participation of directors of all human milk banks of the country, Dr. Mohammadbagher Hosseini (Neonatologist and head of Human Milk Bank of Tabriz) was chosen as the director of  HMBAI.

The mission of HMBAI is to promote safe and equitable access to Mother’s Own  Milk for all Iranian infants and Donor Human Milk (as the second choice) for preterm infants, support milk banks across Iran, and ensure quality standards. The main goals of HMBAI  are breastfeeding support, developing standardized protocols, and facilitating research and development in human milk banking. The objectives of the HMBAI as  a nonprofit organization are to promote social and health-related activities:

• Promoting breastfeeding (as the main aim) in all parts of Iran and collaboration with 

• I.R.I BFPS

• Donation of human milk to Human Milk Banks (HMB) in all parts of Iran

• Utilization of donor human milk for premature infants and other infants with specific

• needs who do not have access to their mother’s milk

• Milk banking and the establishment of new human milk banks

• International cooperation between HMBs and National Associations/Groups of

• Human Milk Banks around the globe; and specialty EMBA

Participation in the European Commission Conference

EMBA is invited to participate in the European Commission Conference on the new Regulation on Substances of Human Origin

On Monday 24th of June a high level Conference is being organised by the European Commission. In this Conference the new SoHO regulation will be presented and discussed. Human milk being considered a SoHO and regulated for the first time at the european level; EMBA has been invited to a moderated panel discussion and will be represented by the current EMBA President, Prof. Sertac Arslanoglu.

The Conference will focus particularly on the safety and quality issues, innovation and continuum of the supply.

Please find the Conference Agenda and the link to watch it live online.

Link of the related EC website

Link of the webstreaming