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Folic acid has become a mandatory component for non-whole grain flour in the United States since 1998, according to Josh Sosland in an article on the World-Grain.com portal. However, the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) points out that most European countries have not yet introduced mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid. In contrast, all of North America and most of Central and South America have mandatory requirements for fortifying wheat and/or corn.
FFI believes that this step was explained by relentless advocacy from dedicated advocates in the public, private, and civil sectors, including FFI, the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland, the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and Shine - a British organization providing support for families and children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Since 2013, FFI has been advising the UK government and collaborating with civil groups in the country, advocating for the inclusion of folic acid in the list of countries funded for food fortification.
The group announced that it was able to convince decision-makers of the importance and necessity of mandatory flour fortification during the British Red Tape Challenge campaign that began in 2011.
"FFI also actively participated in public consultations in 2019 with industry representatives and key stakeholders. As a result of these consultations, political support for adding folic acid to mandatory fortification of wheat flour to improve public health outcomes was overwhelming, ultimately leading to the addition of folic acid to fortification legislation," the group noted.
In the UK, flour is already enriched with calcium, niacin, thiamine, and iron.
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer of England, stated that the UK government continues to engage with the food industry to provide support for implementing a mandate that will apply nationwide. He also noted that Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will introduce their own rules "in due course."
"Flour fortification is a simple and effective way to help reduce the number of neural tube defects in fetuses, but it is important that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant continue to take folic acid supplements before and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy," Whitty said.
"The mandatory addition of folic acid to fortified wheat flour is a major public health victory that will ensure a healthier future for the UK and may encourage other European countries to make fortification mandatory," FFI stated.
