Scotland has followed England and Northern Ireland in passing legislation requiring millers in the UK to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid.
The legislation, introduced in Scotland today (20 December), requires millers and flour producers to fortify all non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid by the end of 2026.
It has been passed in the hope of preventing around 200 cases of debilitating brain and spine defects in babies each year in the UK.
Folic acid deficiency is a leading cause of neural tube defects in babies, including spina bifida. Increasing a woman’s intake of folic acid can help prevent these serious and debilitating conditions.
Flour is already fortified with calcium, niacin, thiamin and iron to improve public health. The move to include folic acid could “help to reduce neural tube defects by 20% in the UK and improve the health of pregnant women”, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has claimed.
The practice is already carried out in other countries such as Australia and Canada, where health improvements have been documented.
While the new flour regulations will help provide women with a higher baseline intake of folic acid before and during pregnancy, the NHS still recommends women who are trying to get pregnant or newly pregnant to continue to regularly take the recommended dose of folic acid supplements.
A ‘healthier start’
“For decades, fortified flour has strengthened public health, and these new regulations aim to give children across the nation a healthier start,” said FSS deputy chief executive Ian McWatt.
“Over the next two years, manufacturers will have time to adjust both the composition and labelling of their products, ensuring a smooth transition.”
Public health minister Jenni Minto said: “Ministers have long advocated for the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid to help prevent foetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida, so I am glad to be able to introduce new legislation to help give babies the best start in life.
“We have closely collaborated with Food Standards Scotland, the UK government and other devolved governments to introduce a measure which strengthens public health.
“We will continue to engage with the industry on implementation to ensure the best outcomes.”
Lawrence Cowan, chief executive of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, said: “We welcome the announcement by the Scottish government today that folic acid will be added to flour from 2026 onwards.
“Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland has campaigned for folic acid fortification for over 30 years, and this decision will have a life-changing effect for many future parents and children across Scotland.”
England and Northern Ireland last month passed legislation requiring millers and flour producers to fortify all non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid by the end of 2026.
Wales intends to lay similar legislation soon.
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