Why is folic acid fortification being discussed?
In December 2006, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommended ‘mandatory fortification’ of flour with folic acid in order to reduce the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects. This means that it would be compulsory to add folic acid to flour in the UK. This would be flour sold to consumers and flour used by UK-based manufacturers, such as bakers. The Committee estimated that there are between 700 and 900 pregnancies affected by neural tube defects each year in the UK. SACN is an independent scientific committee that advises the Government on nutrition. In May 2007, the Food Standards Agency Board agreed unanimously that mandatory fortification with folic acid of either bread or flour should be introduced. Alongside mandatory fortification, the FSA Board recommended controls on voluntary fortification (when manufacturers choose to add folic acid to foods) and advice for the public on supplements containing folic acid. So far, mandatory fortification
