UK to Fortify Flour with Folic Acid to Prevent Birth Defects

The initiative aims to reduce neural tube defects by adding folic acid to non-wholemeal wheat flour by 2026.

Folic acid fortification in flour is expected to prevent around 200 cases of neural tube defects annually.
The UK government has set a deadline of 2026 for manufacturers to comply with the new regulation.
Neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly can be mitigated by increased folic acid intake.
Experts emphasize that women planning pregnancies should still take folic acid supplements.
Small-scale flour producers will be exempt from the new fortification requirement.