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Violations of the breast milk substitutes act-2013 and its rules - 2017 in Bangladesh

S K Roy1,2, Khurshid Jahan3, Saria Tasnim4,5

  • 1Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF), Room # 197-200, Institute of Public Health (IPH), Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh. skroy1950@gmail.com.

Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition
|July 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Violations of Bangladesh's Breast-milk Substitute (BMS) Act are widespread, with retailers and health professionals promoting BMS products unethically. Urgent enforcement is needed to protect infant feeding practices and reduce child mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Inadequate breastfeeding practices contribute to significant infant mortality and morbidity globally.
  • Bangladesh faces challenges with exclusive breastfeeding rates, necessitating regulatory measures.
  • The Breast-milk Substitute (BMS) Act of 2013 and its 2017 Rules were enacted to regulate BMS marketing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess violations of the BMS Act, 2013, and Rules, 2017 in Bangladesh.
  • To identify the types, actors, and settings of BMS Act violations.
  • To raise awareness about the BMS Act among stakeholders and the public.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted across eight divisions of Bangladesh.
  • Data collection involved retail outlets, pharmacies, baby-friendly hospitals, health professionals, and mothers.
  • Methods included structured interviews, direct observations, and document reviews using standardized protocols.

Main Results:

  • All surveyed retail outlets sold unregistered BMS products with promotional materials and health claims.
  • A significant percentage of doctors and nurses promoted BMS without medical indication.
  • Health facilities reported financial incentives from BMS manufacturers, and manufacturers established unauthorized breastfeeding corners.

Conclusions:

  • Extensive violations of the BMS Act and Rules were identified, indicating unethical promotion and distribution of BMS.
  • Health professionals in baby-friendly hospitals were implicated in these breaches, undermining breastfeeding.
  • Urgent monitoring and enforcement are crucial to protect infant health and uphold national regulations.
Abstract

Keywords:
BreastfeedingBangladeshBreast Milk Substitutes Act (BMS act 2013)Commercial milk formula marketingViolations

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