Fortification campaign moves a step closer to victory
A simple scheme that could prevent more than 300 cases of spina bifida a year is finally being considered by the Government.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has sanctioned a 12-week consultation exercise alongside extensive consumer research to ask the public whether they would back the addition of folic acid to white flour.
But campaigners – including ASBAH – are disappointed that the FSA still has failed to recommend the mandatory fortification of flour.
The addition of folic acid to flour is compulsory in several countries including the United States, where the incidence of neural tube impairments in babies has fallen by one third.
Chief Executive, Andrew Russell has long stressed the importance of adding the ingredient to some types of flour most commonly found in bread and other foods.
In a letter to The Times, Andrew said: “Sadly the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not yet recommended the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid as a public health measure to prevent spina bifida.
“At its Board meeting on 6 April, it decided to carry out a public consultation without favouring the scientifically recommended option to fortify flour with folic acid.
“Two government scientific committees have considered this issue in detail. One reported in 2000, and the other produced a preliminary report earlier this year.
“Both recommended fortification and considered that this was an effective and safe method of preventing spina bifida. “
He added: “It is hard to understand the FSA Board’s hesitation on this issue. Surely it should be a champion of effective public health action and proper nutrition, not a barometer of public sentiment reflecting the minority who feel that such sound public health practice infringes personal liberty.
“We continue to urge the FSA Board to look at the science, consider the public interest and show leadership.
Britain’s Food Standards Agency rejected expert advice to fortify flour three years ago amid fears it could delay diagnosis for people with Vitamin B12 deficiency.
That argument was discussed by Prof Nicholas Wald, Director of the Wolfson Institute for Preventative Medicine, in a recent ITN interview.
He said: “I can scarcely think of something so simple, inexpensive, effective and safe that could improve the health of children that is not used.
“It’s so important to take folic acid before pregnancy. Once the woman finds out she is pregnant it’s too late for the vitamin to have a preventative effect.”
His backing was echoed by the influential Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition which also recommended that the benefits were clear and that there were no significant risks.
Even if flour is fortified, for women planning to become pregnant, it will still be important to take a daily tablet giving an additional supplement of folic acid.
Women who have a close relative with spina bifida or who have previously had a pregnancy affected by spina bifida, should consult their doctor to get the correct level of supplement.