A monitoring study of the Brazilian Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes was carried out in l995-1996 with the objective of verifying how companies are in compliance with the Code in the question of labeling and packaging their products. In 32 cities of 13 states,125 products including feeding bottles, teats, pacifiers, infant food, formula and fluid milk were analyzed. A certain compliance was observed, in comparison to previous evaluations, done with the same methodological procedures. However, several products have not adequate labels, particularly feeding bottles and pacifiers. Rules related to "warning" need a review, because when they are accomplished, very often they are not easily seen. Routine monitoring procedures are needed to assist the competent authorities to protect breast feeding against the inappropriate marketing of commercial breast-feeding substitutes.
Infant food; food labeling; milk substitutes; breast feeding