Folate decision a win for families
Child health expert Professor Fiona Stanley says today's decision by the Federal and State Food Regulation Ministers to fortify food with folate was a great win for Australian families.
"This is a wonderful decision that will ensure that many more women get enough folate to protect their babies from devastating neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida," Professor Stanley said.
"To be effective, folate intake must be increased before conception. Mandatory fortification will mean better protection for everyone, particularly vulnerable groups including the young, people in remote communities with less access to fresh fruit and vegetables, indigenous mothers, and for the 40% of women whose pregnancies were unplanned."
Professor Stanley, who is Director of The Kids for Child Health Research, said more than 40 countries, including the USA, already had mandatory fortification.
In 1989 the Medical Journal of Australia published a scientific paper by Professor Carol Bower and Professor Stanley that showed the powerful effect of folate in reducing neural tube defects by up to 70%.
"We've known about the benefits of folate for 18 years, yet the combined impact of voluntary fortification and education campaigns have only reduced the rates of NTDs by about 30%, which has been disappointing," Professor Stanley said.
"Mandatory fortification will decrease the rates of NTDs even more, saving the health system between $120-150 million each year. But even more important is saving families and children from the heartache that comes with the daily challenge of living with a severe disability."
Professor Stanley acknowledged the roles of WA Health Minister Jim McGinty and Parliamentary Secretary John Hyde in their leadership in the national campaign.
"The Food Ministers should be congratulated for standing firm under industry pressure and committing to such a crucial public health initiative."
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