MORE than half of parents and pregnant women or 51 percent surveyed for a new World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) report say they have been targeted with marketing from formula milk companies, much of which is in breach of international standards on infant feeding practices.

The new report details exploitative practices, employed by the $55-billion formula industry, compromising child nutrition and violating international commitments as it uncovers unethical marketing strategies to influence parents' infant feeding decisions.