Press Releases

Public's Views Sought on Folic Acid Food Fortification – Folic Acid Today and Everyday – Policy Options Being Considered

21 March 2005

A public consultation process was announced today to seek the views of the general public and interested parties on the possible fortification of food with folic acid to reduce the prevalence of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida in Ireland. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Department of Health and Children working together through the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification will oversee this initiative. A detailed consultation document has been produced by the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification which outlines three policy options for consideration and anyone with an interest is urged to make their views known before the 24th June 2005. In addition, the publication of a new information leaflet on folic acid and a dedicated website www.folicacid.ie have been developed where people can access information, view the public consultation document and submit their opinions.

Ireland currently has one of the highest incidences of NTDs in Europe. NTDs are a group of severe birth defects, such as spina bifida, that can develop in babies during the first weeks of pregnancy. Approximately 1-1.5 per 1,000 births nationally are affected by NTDs. It is established that taking folic acid, a B vitamin, four weeks before conception and for 12 weeks after conception, can help reduce the risk of NTDs. Folic acid like most vitamins cannot be made in the body; it is found in some vegetables and fruits. Women of childbearing age are advised to take a folic acid supplement every day to help reduce the risk of NTDs.

Three options are outlined in the consultation document, aimed at increasing the intake of folic acid among women of childbearing age. Following analysis of all submissions, the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification, will make a policy recommendation to the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. The proposed policy options for consideration are:

Structured Voluntary Fortification – Flour millers and bakers would be permitted to add specified levels of folic acid voluntarily to bread, which would then carry a special logo and a health claim. The practice of allowing voluntary fortification of other foods with folic acid would continue. This would require legislative change.

Mandatory Fortification – (a) of bread-making flour to ensure a targeted level of folic acid is present in all breads, or (b) of all flour to ensure a targeted level of folic acid in all flour-containing foods. This would require legislative change.

Continue with the Current Practice – Intermittent health promotion campaigns to raise public awareness of the need for women to take a folic acid supplement and have a diet rich in folates, while the background diet in Ireland would permit the unstructured voluntary fortification of foods with folic acid.

Commenting on the consultation, An Tanaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney T.D. states, "This is a nationally important consultation. I would urge people to review the consultation document, access the dedicated folic acid website, and make their views known on the fortification of food with folic acid. The outcome of the consultation will be dictated by the views of Irish people and will, lead to a policy decision that should reduce the number of births affected by NTDs in Ireland in the long-term."

According to Ms Maureen Lynott, Chairwoman, National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification, since 1993, national health policies have urged women of childbearing age to take a folic acid supplement and to eat foods that contain high levels of natural folate, to provide the extra 400 micrograms of folic acid required. However, research shows that only one in five pregnant women take a folic acid supplement and over a third of women consume no folic acid at all – either though food or supplements.

“Almost 50% of pregnancies in Ireland are unplanned, so a large segment of females may not have taken folic acid for the recommended period prior to conception to assist prevent NTDs. That is why fortification is being looked at as an option. There are only a limited number of foods fortified with folic acid, so it is very difficult to get enough folic acid from food alone. The optimal approach would be for women to take a folic acid supplement daily and to eat fortified foods as a part of their daily diet,” says Ms Lynott.

“This public consultation on the various options being proposed is essential to making a decision on the correct way forward. Despite encouragement to take a folic acid supplement, many Irish women do not take them. For some it is lack of awareness, for others the cost of a folic acid supplement can be a prohibitive barrier. The result is that Ireland continues to have one of the highest level in Europe of births affected by NTDs.”

In 1996, the USA and Canada introduced mandatory fortification of all flour with folic acid. This has succeeded in reducing the number of NTD births in those countries, with the highest success rate in Newfoundland where a reduction of 78% in NTDs has been reported.

“The objective of this consultation is to review the best policy for going forward that will provide actions to help reduce the incidence of NTDs in Ireland. We urge people to review our consultation document and to have their views heard. We are also recommending that whatever the outcome of this important consultation, the current policy of advising women to take a folic acid supplement and national awareness campaigns should continue, in order to create maximum awareness of the issue among women and to safeguard the health and well being of their babies,” Ms Lynott continues.

When all submissions have been analysed the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification will make a policy recommendation to the Minister for Health and Children. In addition, a summary of all submissions will be available to the public on www.folicacid.ie . Information can also be obtained by contacting the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on 1890 336677.

For further information:
Jane Ryder, Press and PR Officer
Tel: (01) 817 1302
Email: press@fsai.ie