Research on commercial milk formulas for young children: A scoping review

Abstract

AbstractA scoping review of publications about commercial milk formulas intended for or consumed by children 12–36 months (CMF 12–36) was conducted. This review aimed to comprehensively map the existing literature, identify key concepts in the field and understand its evolution through time. A total of 3329 articles were screened and 220 were included, published between 1986 and 2024. Most works were published after 2016 (70.0%) and in high‐income countries (71.8%). Original studies were the vast majority (81.8%) of publications. Most publications dealt with feeding practices or analysed the composition and/or contamination of specific products (44.1% and 35.9%), but since the late 2000s, publications about marketing, policy, legislation, and consumer perception started to appear. Most published works (65.5%) did not focus exclusively on CMF 12–36 and included formulas for other demographics or other foods. About half of the works (55.5%) did not consider CMF 12–36 to be a breast milk substitute. We found 81 distinct product denominations used to refer to CMF 12–36, Growing Up Milk was the most common (25.9%). CMF industry was involved in 41.8% of all analysed works, and industry participation and funding were not always clearly informed (22.5% lacked a conflict of interest statement, and 25.5% did not present any information about funding). In the last decade, publications about CMF 12–36 have increased in volume and diversified in scope and subject matter. CMF‐industry participation has always been and still is present in the field, so possible vested interests should be taken into account when appreciating the literature.