Almost all brands of powdered milk are over promoted in supermarkets, in defiance of a marketing code, the Beijing Consumer Association said.

A survey conducted by the association in July and August of 47 Beijing supermarkets and shops, found 173 of 185 milk powders were "over promoted", including 134 free gift offers, 25 discount offers, and 47 personal promotion offers.

Under both Chinese and international marketing codes, breast-milk substitutes and other substitute products cannot be promoted through advertisements, free gifts or personal promotion to customers.