UK introduces folic acid fortification of flour to prevent neural tube defects

30 years ago the MRC Vitamin Study Research Group, led by Professor Sir Nicholas Wald, reported that folic acid supplementation for women around the time of conception reduced the risk of serious neural tube defects (NTDs; anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele) in their babies.¹ That study led to the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification of staples such as flour in more than 80 countries in an effort to reduce the incidence of NTDs. As recently as July, 2021, New Zealand mandated fortification with folic acid.² In 2019 there was a public consultation in the UK on options for folic acid fortification³ and on Sept 20, 2021, the UK Government announced it will introduce the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid.⁴