DEADLINE FOR VIEWS ON FOLIC ACID FOOD FORTIFICATION

20 June 2005

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today made a final call to consumers and interested parties to express their views on the possible fortification of food with folic acid, as the deadline for the national public consultation draws to a close. The National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification states that there has been a strong response from the public to-date, but the last day for submissions is this Friday, 24 th June 2005 . People are being urged to consider three policy options put forward by the National Committee to reduce the prevalence of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida, in Ireland and to give their opinions by logging on to www.folicacid.ie. To date, some 350 parties have completed the online consultation, 80% of whom are consumers/general public, with 11% being healthcare professionals.

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 later this year. An information leaflet on folic acid and a detailed consultation document are available on www.folicacid.ie. The three policy options for consideration are:

•  Structured Voluntary Fortification enabling flour millers and bakers to voluntarily add some folic acid to bread, carrying a special logo and health claim;

•  Mandatory Fortification of either bread-making flour or of all flour;

•  Continue with the Current Practice of intermittent health promotion campaigns.

The three month consultation was undertaken in order to address the high incidence of NTDs, such as spina bifida, in newborn babies in Ireland . Folic acid is a B vitamin, which if taken prior to and after conception, can assist prevent NTDs. Ireland currently has one of the highest incidences of NTDs in Europe , with approximately 1-1.5 per 1,000 births nationally affected. 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, despite the fact that 50% of pregnancies in Ireland are unplanned.

Ms Maureen Lynott, Chairwoman, National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification stressed that it is vitally important that people express their views now in relation to this important initiative. National policy and actions will take into account the views put forward but only if people put their views forward within the formal consultation process.

“Despite encouragement to take a folic acid supplement, many Irish women do not take them. Lack of awareness and the cost of folic acid supplements are both factors. The result is that Ireland continues to have one of the highest levels of births affected by NTDs in Europe . The objective of this consultation is to review the best policy for going forward that will help to reduce the incidence of NTDs in Ireland . Whether that's by maintaining the status quo, or adopting a policy of food fortification, it's important that the public's views are taken into account during the decision making process.”

Information on the consultation and folic acid food fortification can be obtained by logging onto www.folicacid.ie and also 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