There is a significant incidence of positive serology among women interested in donating human milk. This implies that there may be significant risk associated with peer-to-peer distribution of human milk from unscreened donors.

DHM without additives was culture-negative for 24 hours or longer after thawing and routine NICU handling. These data indicate that unfortified Holder-pasteurized DHM handled appropriately and refrigerated remains sterile for 24 hours after thawing and perhaps longer. Further study is needed to confirm this.