Department of Health

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Folic acid

In January 2000 the Government's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) issued a report on folic acid and its role in the prevention of disease, particularly Neural Tube Defects (NTD's) such as spina bifida.

16/06/2004: Health Minister's decision on the fortification of flour with folic acid

Published: 16/06/2004

Announcement that Health Ministers have agreed with the Food Standards Agency's advice not to recommend mandatory fortification at present due to outstanding concerns about vitamin B12 deficiency.

Responses to the Consultation on the COMA Report on folic acid and prevention of disease

Published: 06/07/2001

In January 2000 the Government's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) issued a report on folic acid and its role in the prevention of disease. On 25 July 2000 the four UK Health Departments and the Food Standards Agency jointly issued a consultation document seeking views on how the Governments should respond to the conclusions of the COMA report and on additional factors which, in the case of universal fortification, include the management of any risk, consumer choice, technical feasibility, legislative issues, cost to industry and knock-on effects on prices to the consumer. This is a summary of responses and next steps.

Folic acid and the prevention of disease: report of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy

Published: 13/01/2000

This report reviews available evidence linking dietary folate and folic acid with human health. It is concerned particularly with the need for adequate intakes of folate at the time of conception to reduce the risk of a pregnancy being affected by a neural tube defect (NTD), of which spina bifida is a common form.

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