ABOUT MBTAG

The Milk Banking Technical Advisory Group (MBTAG) addresses terminology, coding, and labeling in the field of human milk banking.

MBTAG is composed of representatives appointed by professional organizations in human milk banking. The Group also includes liaisons from groups interested in ISBT 128, as well as observers from licensed vendors.

The need for uniform labeling practices in milk banking was acknowledged in 2010. The Yorkhill Milk Bank in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service worked together to develop a safer way of identifying human milk donations. With ICCBBA support, the Scottish team created an IT system based on ISBT 128. The system underwent a pilot run and validated its suitability for human milk.

This success prompted experts in the field, representatives from professional societies such as the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), European Milk Bank Association (EMBA), and ICCBBA, to establish the Milk Banking Technical Advisory Group (MBTAG). As a result of their collaborative work, the ISBT 128 Standard for the Labeling of Human Milk Banking Products v1.0.0 and the First International Consensus Statement on Terminology, Coding, and Labeling of Human Milk Donations were introduced in 2016.

MBTAG is currently reviewing the ISBT 128 Standard for the Labeling of Human Milk Banking Products v1.0.0 to determine where updates may be needed.

Acknowledging the worldwide pressing need for biovigilance in human milk banking, MBTAG is also discussing the necessity for a new international consensus on the terminology, coding, and labeling of human milk donations.

In addition, the group is actively assessing the key drivers and barriers to implementing ISBT 128 in human milk banking worldwide.

MBTAG MEMBER LIST

Chair

Alison Wolf

ICCBBA Staff Liaison

Mónica Freire

Representatives

  • Sertac Arslanoglu – Dr Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital
  • Thomas Brune – Södersjukhuset AB
  • Louis-Philippe Gagné – Héma-Québec
  • Frances Jones – Human Milk Banking Association of North America
  • Guido Moro – Italian Association of Human Milk Banks c/o Biomedia
  • Anne Billie Olin – Hvidovre Hospital – The Children’s Department and the Women’s Milk Center
  • Anne Schoonderwoerd – Amsterdam University Medical Center
  • Linda Taylor – Digital Square at PATH
  • Gillian Weaver – European Milk Bank Association

Liaisons

  • Martin FitzGerald – GS1
    Kathleen Hopping – ATAG

Observers

  • Debbie Barnett
  • Geoff Browne
  • Jeff Dragoo
  • Clare Green
  • John Kling
  • Ana Margarida Lopes
  • John Muircroft
  • Bruno Rousselin

Join Our Mission!

Technical Advisory Group (TAG) members are experts in their fields and work toward globally consistent terminology, labeling, and use of ISBT 128 to improve patient safety.
If you are interested in contributing to the discussion, please reach out today!