'Overwhelming' evidence for adding folic acid to flour There are fresh calls for the government to fortify flour with folic acid in the UK to help protect babies from common birth defects.
A new study concludes higher doses of the B vitamin, which can prevent spina bifida in unborn babies, will not harm the general public.
Folic acid is added to flour in more than 80 countries worldwide, but the UK has previously held off. Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid tablets, but many don't.
Fortification would provide extra cover, say experts. The idea of mandatory fortification has already been backed by health ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not England. BBC News - Health
A new study concludes higher doses of the B vitamin, which can prevent spina bifida in unborn babies, will not harm the general public.
Folic acid is added to flour in more than 80 countries worldwide, but the UK has previously held off. Pregnant women are advised to take folic acid tablets, but many don't.
Fortification would provide extra cover, say experts. The idea of mandatory fortification has already been backed by health ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not England. BBC News - Health
- Public health failure in the prevention of neural tube defects: time to abandon the tolerable upper intake level of folate Public Health Reviews
- Deaths or birth defects of thousands due to folic acid 'avoidable tragedy' - The Telegraph
- Put folic acid in bread to protect babies from devastating medical conditons, says study: Pressure grows on Jeremy Hunt to tackle 'avoidable tragedies' The Mail Online
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