Mandatory folate fortification a win for Australian families
The introduction of mandatory fortification of bread making flour with folate in Australia on Sunday September 13 will save hundreds of families every year from the heartbreak of serious birth defects.
Folate researcher and Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Professor Fiona Stanley, said mandatory fortification was the best way to reduce the incidence of spina bifida and other devastating neural tube defects.
"We tried voluntary fortification and education in this country for years and only achieved a 30 per cent reduction in these preventable disabilities rather than the 70 per cent fall that we know is possible," Professor Stanley said.
"This is all about giving every child the best chance to be born healthy. We know that up to 50 per cent of pregnancies aren't planned so these women are unlikely to be taking supplements in the critical month before conception."
Professor Stanley and her colleague Professor Carol Bower were at the forefront of research in Australia into the role of folate in reducing neural tube defects.
"This has been one of the most exciting areas of research from our Institute where we have been able to show that the simple addition of a vitamin to the diet can prevent something so significant," Professor Stanley said.
"Anyone who may be concerned about fortification should be reassured that it is a B group vitamin that is found in fruit and leafy green vegetables - the types of foods that we already know are part of a healthy diet. Folate plays a critical role in healthy cell development."
Professor Stanley praised Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for their rigorous review of the scientific evidence and their professional liaison with millers and bakers.
"The process has been extremely thorough and Australians can be confident that this is a health initiative that will not only help families but have a positive effect on the health of many others."
Professor Stanley said women who were planning a pregnancy should still take supplements before conception to guarantee they receive sufficient folate.
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