The study shows that the vast majority the health benefits of baby formula promoted around the world lack rigorous scientific evidence.

Daniel Munblit, a professor at Imperial College London and one of the authors of the study, denied that the researchers were in the “crusade” against milk-based infant foodwhich should still be an option for mothers who are unwilling or unable to breastfeed.

“But we are very much against inappropriate marketing of infant formula that uses misleading claims without solid evidence,” the researcher told AFP.

Munblit and an international team of researchers analyzed the attributed health benefits 608 products on infant formula company websites in 15 countriessuch as the United States, India, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

The most common claims are that formula supports brain development, strengthens the immune system and helps infants grow.

But half of the products do not link a purported health benefit to any specific ingredientaccording to a study published in a medical journal bmj.

Three quarters have no reference to scientific evidence to support their claims.

Of those who provide scientific references, more than half cite reviews, opinion articles, or animal studies.

Only 14% of products refer to registered clinical trials on humansalthough 90% of those trials were at high risk of bias, such as missing data or a finding that did not support the claim, the study said.

And almost 90% of clinical trials are led by authors who are funded by or connected to the formula industry, he added.

It is common knowledge that breastfeeding has great benefits for babies, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends it as exclusive food for children in the first six months of life.

However, such recommendations are followed by less than half of the babies in the world, according to the WHO.

The importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Breast milk bank at home, how to do it?

Magazine lancet published last week a series of studies in which scientists ask world authorities put an end to the abuse of infant formula marketing.