Only a handful of countries have taken action against the promotion of breast-milk substitutes to mothers, campaigners warned yesterday.
The toughest action has been in Africa while just two European countries have legislated to implement international codes, according to a World Health Organisation report.
WHO wants countries to ban advertising together with promotional activities such as free samples given to new mothers.
This has been done in 13 African countries while another six, together with 23 European countries, have put some of these measures into law, the report shows.
Globally just 37 countries have the full range of measures in place while 69 ban advertising, the report shows.
The report has been issued during World Breastfeeding Week.
Dr Carmen Casanovas, of WHO, said: “Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support.
"But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes."
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