NORFOLK (AP) -- Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is suggesting that ice cream be made with human breast milk instead of cow milk.

PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman made the suggestion in a letter sent to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream. In the letter, Reiman said the idea is based on plans by a restaurant in Switzerland that is set to unveil a menu that includes food made with at least 75 percent breast milk.

Reiman says cows only produce milk right before and after pregnancy, so they are forcibly impregnated every nine months.

Video: PETA wants Ben and Jerry's to use breast milk

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BEN AND JERRY'S STATEMENT:

“We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child."  

Rob Michalak
Ben & Jerry's spokesperson

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)