Research suggests that adding folic acid to all white and brown flour, as they do in the USA, would cut cases by more than 40 per cent. In light of this, a new report by the Scientific Committee Advisory Committee on Nutrition, is this week expected to call for folic acid to be added to flour used in the UK. When its draft report was published, Professor Sheila Bingham, chair of the committee's subgroup on folate and disease prevention, pointed out that many food and drinks are already fortified.
Flour has calcium, iron and vitamin B6 added, while margarine has extra vitamins A and D, plus cereals are already fortified with folic acid. "It seems that asking people to take a supplement or relying on them to get sufficient amounts through their diet is not enough," she said. "That is why after two years of research we recommended that the Government fortify flour with folic acid.
" Andrew Russell, chief executive of the association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus said: "Hundreds of abortions are carried out every year in the UK for spina bifida and a lot of severely disabled babies are still being born. "Unfortunately relying on women to plan pregnancy and take a folic acid supplement in advance is unrealistic in many cases." "People should get their folates from a balanced diet - the best sources are leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, bananas and nuts," he said.
"It is mass medication of 60 million people to benefit a few hundred," she warned. "In matters of health we should be given information so we can make an informed choice, not dictated to all the time." A spokeswoman for Help the Aged said: "We would need to see more evidence of how this might affect older people, but generally we would not want to see anything introduced that put the well-being of older people at risk.
A spokesman for Age Concern said: "Folic acid may help young people but we need to make sure the needs of older people are also being considered. "When deciding if this should be put in bread we need to be sure that, although there are benefits for certain people, it does not cause any problems for older people." Once that is completed, the FSA board will consider the results and then pass on its recommendation to health ministers.
The row echoes the controversy surrounding the fluoridation of water. Fluoride is added to around 10 per cent of the UK's drinking water to improve children's teeth after research revealed it could cut dental decay by up to 60 per cent. However the World Health Organisation, the Royal College of Physicians and the Department of Health have endorsed water fluoridation as safe.
Spina bifida is what is known as a 'neural tube defect.' 11 people have commented on this story so far. Tell us what you think below.
Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click to read all comments that readers have sent in.
The government claims to care about disorders in babies yet it sprays our crops with chemicals, allows new GM methods, permits animals raised, injected and grown in sickening conditions.
.. the list is endless.
- Dae, UK
This medication of the masses - for the sake of a few that do not take their folic acid supplements when they fall pregnant - sounds part of a nanny state. I am celiac (intolerant to gluten) and therefore do not eat bread, how is the government going to tackle my case and that of my fellow sufferers, an estimated 2% of the population? Please let us take responsibility for ourselves and stop this ever adding of foreign ingredients to our food!
- Caroline, Bristol, UK
It would be a breach of human rights, John, if you had to buy fortified bread. You don't. The Independent Scientific Committee Advisory Committee on Nutrition has recommended that this change be made.
How is that Government Nannying? They are an independent advisory body who's only issue is that of population health. - Tommie, Bristol
Two of Britain's most successful actresses have hit out at the trend for models and celebrities to diet to super-skinny proportions, calling it 'disgusting' and 'unbelievably disturbing.
' Former anorexic actress Billie Piper, went as far as to say Victoria Beckham should not be a role model for her younger sister He has been setting hearts a-flutter as the favourite to win BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing. But it seems ex-England batsman Mark Ramprakash's love life is already rather more crowded than it should be Actress Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are planning to adopt a baby from Puerto Rico.
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