Latest news
Keep up-to-date with what's happening at SBH Scotland.
Bread and flour to be fortified with folic acid to prevent birth defects
New legislation has been introduced that will help prevent around 200 cases of brain and spine defects in babies each year in the UK by fortifying non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid.
The legislation requires millers and flour producers in the UK to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid by the end of 2026.
Get involved: It's here the UK Government’s Consultation on Mandatory Fortification of Flour with Folic Acid
Briefing: UK Government’s 2019 Consultation on Mandatory Fortification of Flour with Folic Acid:
New stats reveal 91% of UK women have insufficient folate levels to support a reduction in neural tube defects
A study carried out on behalf of Public Health England and the Food Standards Agency which has been published today (16 March 2018), has revealed as many as 91% of women of childbearing age (16 – 49) in the UK are at increased risk of a neural tube defect (NTD) affected pregnancy due to a folic acid deficiency.
UK Government urged to add folic acid to flour after new study
A study published in Public Health Reviews has revealed previous data showing the set upper limit of folate was flawed. The experts involved are now urging the Department of Health to approve the fortification of flour with folic acid in order to help reduce neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida, in unborn babies.
Could you be the new Folic Acid Man?
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland are looking for the next Folic Acid Man to be the face of our national health awareness campaign. Do you have what it takes
Are Scotland taking the next step?
Folic acid in flour - Ministers ask for advice on next steps.
Folic Acid Fortification Update
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) has long advocated folic acid fortification in flour. Our Chief Executive, Andrew H D Wynd, said, “We are happy to hear that Scottish Government are now urging UK Ministers to move the fortification process forward. The recent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) letter to Health Ministers highlighted serious concerns arising from the delay in fortifying flour so the UK need to be pushing for measures to be put into place to increase the folate status of women. In Scotland it is thought that nearly 50% of pregnancies are unplanned and mother’s to be will not have increased folic acid intake prior to conception. SBH Scotland believe that mandatory fortification will make a significant difference to the many planned and unplanned pregnancies diagnosed with Neural Tube Defects, of which spina bifida is the most common.”
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