Folic acid to be added to all flour

PLANS to fortify flour in the UK with folic acid will have a “monumental” impact on child health by reducing birth defects, especially in Scotland, campaigners have said.

Government ministers are expected to announce a shift to “mandatory fortification” within weeks, bringing the UK into line with 80 other countries around the world.

The medical community has long urged the government to bring in the change to guard against spina bifida and other conditions that can cause severe disability or death.

However there has been resistance in Whitehall until now.

The Scottish Government, which supports folic acid being added to flour on public health grounds, said it would welcome the change.

Food Standards Scotland last year examined whether a Scotland-only scheme was possible, but concluded the Uk-wide market in flour and bread made it impractical.

The NHS recommends women trying to conceive should consume 400 micrograms per day of folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, until at least the 12th week of pregnancy.

However many women do not take supplements, especially in unplanned pregnancies. An estimated 85% of women take too little folic acid in their diet.

Andy Wynd, chief executive of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, said: “A decision to proceed with mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid would have a monumental impact on the health of babies in Scotland.

“Flour fortification is already done in more than 80 countries worldwide and research shows it can reduce the number of babies born with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, by as much as 70%.

“This news is especially important in Scotland as we have more live births of babies with spina bifida per head of population than anywhere else in the UK.”

Clare Murphy, of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: “The UK has one of the highest rates of neural tube defects in Europe. Around 1,000 pregnancies are affected every year, and the vast majority will end in the painful decision to terminate.

“Most fetal anomalies sadly are not preventable, but those related to folic acid deficiency can be reduced. Folic acid fortification is a straightforward public health intervention which will spare hundreds of women the heartbreak of the news their baby has a serious condition.”

Kate Steele, chief executive of the charity Shine, which helps families affected by neural tube defects, said mandatory fortification would be “a game-changer”.

She said: “A decision to introduce mandatory fortification will mean a major positive impact for the health and well-being of babies. In many cases, it will be the difference between life and death.”

Clare Livingstone, of the Royal College of Midwives, added: “Many pregnancies are not planned, meaning many women will not have taken folic acid around the time of conception and very early in their pregnancy. This is when folic acid is most effective. This [change] will significantly help to reduce the number of fetal anomalies related to folic acid deficiency.

“We urge the Government to introduce this as soon as possible.”

The Scottish Government said it would welcome the change, if reports were accurate.

A spokeswoman said: “Scottish Ministers have called on the UK Government to introduce mandatory folic acid fortification in flour for some time. We hope that there will be no further delay and that this will be implemented as quickly as is practicable. The Scottish Government have provided free vitamins to all pregnant women since April 2017 which includes folic acid.”