Research Horizon
Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026): Research Horizon - Juni 2026

A Legal Analysis of Freeze-Dried Human Milk Classification as Functional Food, Human-Derived Substance, or Medical Product in Indonesia

Arifin Kurniawan Kashmir (Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Universitas Islam Nusantara, Bandung, Indonesia)
Happy Yulia Anggraeni (Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Universitas Islam Nusantara, Bandung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Jun 2026

Abstract

Freeze-dried human milk from donor milk poses a regulatory challenge in health law due to its human origin, clinical use, and unclear legal classification. This study aims to determine the appropriate legal classification of freeze-dried human milk under the Indonesian health law framework and to formulate a proportionate regulatory approach for its governance. The study uses a normative legal method with statutory, conceptual, comparative, and health policy approaches, based on Indonesia’s Health Law Number 17 of 2023, Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024, and Regulation (EU) 2024/1938 on Substances of Human Origin, supported by literature on donor human milk, milk banking, processing, and commercialization of human-derived materials. The study finds that a purely food-based classification is legally underinclusive because it fails to address donor screening, traceability, and biovigilance obligations, whereas classification as a substance of human origin is normatively more coherent but remains insufficient unless coupled with enteral safety controls. By contrast, classification as a medical product may be justified only in limited clinical contexts and risks excessive medicalization. Freeze-dried human milk should be regulated under a hybrid framework combining human-origin substance governance, food safety, and clinical oversight to ensure infant safety, donor protection, equitable access, and prevent commodification.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

RH

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

The journal aims to make significant contributions to applied research and knowledge across the globe through the publication of original and high-quality research articles. It publishes original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, case reports, letters to the editor, and commentaries, thereby ...