The problem with mold is not so much the active microbes, but the toxins
they produce.  These chemicals include some of the most carcinogenic
substances known.  They are not always affected by heat treatment.  Molds
themselves are frequently edible, as anyone who loves Gorgonzola or ripened
French chevre, or Camembert knows.  The problem with mold growing in a
breast pump is that you don't know what strain it is, because it hasn't been
purposely inoculated into the pump.  I don't think the microbiology
department at my hospital has the facilities to culture for anything but
yeast, but perhaps it is a common part of the menu one can order cultures
for in other places.
If there are pumps on the market that can become soiled with milk which then
is a medium for the growth of mold, I expect there is something in the user
instructions explaining how to avoid this problem.  If not, the relevant
authority should be notified and the manufacturer required to make changes
so that mothers using their equipment do not risk contamination of the milk
they are going to so much trouble to secure for their babies.  
If the mold is downstream from the collection set so that newly expressed
milk doesn't come in contact with it on its way from breast to collection
container, it might not matter at all.  I know if it were my pump I would
contact the manufacturer to ask what they had to say about it.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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