Manufacturers of baby milk formula are violating international marketing codes in west Africa, according to new research.
UN agencies and health professionals have for many years emphasised the importance of breast feeding for the growth and development of children.
In 1981 the World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - which sets out a minimum standard to ensure the proper use of formula milk.
A study in the British Medical Journalmonitored compliance with the marketing code in Togo and Burkina Faso.
The researchers looked at 43 health facilities, 66 sales outlets and distribution points, 186 health providers and 10 mothers of infants in 16 cities. The survey teams found that manufacturers were violating the code at similar levels in both countries.
Violations included no statement about the superiority of breastfeeding, no instructions about appropriate preparation and storage of the formula milk and no warnings about the health hazards of incorrect use.
Overall, 40 different breast milk substitutes violated labelling standards of the code. Of these, 21 were manufactured by Danone, 11 by Nestlé and eight by other national and international companies.
Every year, breast feeding-related issues are the underlying cause of an estimated 3,300 infant deaths in Togo and 6,200 in Burkina Faso.
PA