WHO concludes formula milk advertising is 'driven by the deliberate misuse of science'

Researchers found a significant proportion of women interviewed would prefer to exclusively breastfeed but myths about the challenges are discouraging many. File photo: iStock

Advertising for formula milk products is “aggressive” and driven by “the deliberate misuse of science”, according to a global analysis by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.

Formula companies selling their product in eight countries, including Britain, were found to “prey on parents’ fears” using “exploitative marketing practices” in defiance of the International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes, the analysis shows.