UK trade group the Health Food Manufacturers Association this week warned that a government proposal to begin mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid could send confusing messages to at-risk groups.
The HFMA was responding to the launch of a UK Government consultation on its proposal to require flour millers by law to add fol9c acid to flour in an effort to reduce the number of babies born with birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord, known as ‘neural tube defects’.
In a statement, the HFMA said it welcomed the importance that the Government is placing on preconception folic acid intakes, but warned
“…there is a real risk that relying on fortification alone will confuse advice on essential folic acid supplementation, leaving some women of childbearing age believing that including bread in their diets will be enough to adequately reduce the risk of neural tube defects in pregnancy.”
The trade group also points to practical reasons that might limit the effectiveness of the initiative, citing a decline in the consumption of bread by UK consumers, particular among younger women.
“We believe there is a real risk of the law of unintended consequences coming into play on this issue”
The HFMA acknowledges that the overall folate status of the general population would improve as a result of mandatory fortification, but it says that “raising awareness and education on the need to continue to consume 400mcg of folic acid both before and during the first trimester would become even more important”.
The statement continues: “We believe there is a real risk of the law of unintended consequences coming into play on this issue, as women of child-bearing age may mistakenly believe that including bread in their diet means they are no longer at risk, whereas the modest additional intake from this source cannot provide the full protection required.