Advertising of Human Milk Substitutes in United Kingdom Healthcare Professional Publications: An Observational Study.

Background: Inappropriate marketing of human milk substitutes negatively influences efforts to protect breastfeeding. Although healthcare professionals can positively influence infant feeding decisions, government regulations permit manufacturers to communicate messages to them through advertising.

Research Aims: (1) To identify the extent of human milk substitute advertising in publications aimed at United Kingdom healthcare professionals and (2) to describe compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and United Kingdom Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations.

Guidance for the Conduct and Reporting of Clinical Trials of Breast Milk Substitutes.

Importance: Breast milk substitutes (BMS) are important nutritional products evaluated in clinical trials. Concerns have been raised about the risk of bias in BMS trials, the reliability of claims that arise from such trials, and the potential for BMS trials to undermine breastfeeding in trial participants. Existing clinical trial guidance does not fully address issues specific to BMS trials.

Health and nutrition claims for infant formula are poorly substantiated and potentially harmful.

Marketing claims for infant formula should be banned, argue