All flour is to be fortified with folic acid after ministers decided to back a plan that medical experts say will reduce the number of babies born in the UK with serious birth defects.
Folic acid is a part of the B complex of vitamins. It is vital for red blood cells and for many other cells in the body. The form of folic acid occurring naturally in food is called folate. Folic acid, along with vitamin B12, is important for formation of blood cells. Lack of these two vital nutrients leads to variety of anemia called acrocytic anemia. This means the red blood cells appear bloated and large and have a reduced capacity to carry oxygen.
It is understood Ministers took some time appreciating the benefits but were finally convinced after a long running campaign by Doctors, Scientists and Baby Health Campaigners.
The move has also been backed by medical royal colleges, including those representing professionals involved in babies’ and children’s health – obstetricians and gynaecologists, paediatricians and midwives. In the US there has been an estimated 23% reduction in neural tube defects (NTD) since folic acid fortification of flour was introduced in 1998.
Dan Poulter – Conservative MP and former Health Minister
Mr. Poulter is also a NHS doctor and he has praised the Government for having finally decided to introduce mandatory fortification of flour.
“It is good to see that medical evidence has prevailed over political considerations and that the health of mothers and their babies has overcome the previously successful attempts by vested business interests complaining to Government about the regulatory and cost burden to business. The lives and health of babies is what matters.”
Dr. Alison Tedstone
Dr. Tedstone is chief nutritionist at Public Health England and said, “Three-quarters of 16 to 49 year old women have folic acid levels below the new World Health Organisation recommendation for women entering pregnancy. Fortifying flour with folic acid is an effective and safe measure to reduce the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects.”