In my last blog I wrote about the implementation of Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification and began speaking of the effects it has. Now I will continue to write about the negative implications it has.

Many countries have begun to seriously question the entire concept of Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification (MFF). Ireland put the whole matter on hold in 2006 after finding that target populations were obtaining sufficient folate from their diets under a regime of voluntary folic acid fortification (VFF). In August 2009, New Zealand deferred MFF until at least 2012 pending a review of emerging scientific feedback. Some 87% of the NZ population were opposed to the introduction of MFF. The UK has followed a similar strategy. The USA, which has had MFF in place for 10 years, is currently reviewing its stance, in the light of the strong correlation between MFF and increased levels colorectal cancers.

The implementation of the process is particularly flawed. The legislated range of folic acid addition of 2 – 3 mg/kg of flour is difficult to achieve, verify and guarantee reliably. The other problem is that folic acid denatures over time and at varying rates depending upon product moisture content, ambient storage conditions and reactions with and between the various flour mix ingredients. Several months out from manufacture it is virtually impossible for any responsible manufacturer to guarantee either the folic acid content or quality.

The legal requirement is an unrealistic and unachievable nonsense which should not have been imposed on the flour millers, blenders and baking industry, especially as this is not the most effective and safest way to ensure folic acid fortification. Non-conformances are inevitable. Public and Product Liability Insurers are also reluctant to insure against future liability risks associated with this poorly thought out and inequitable legislation. This is a legal, health and financial minefield that invites civil disobedience on the part of flour millers and blenders and should compel public outrage.

MFF also restricts Consumer freedom of choice. Apart from organic flours technically no flours are exempt. Boutique gluten free flours like ours fall into a grey legal area.

MFF and its likely consequent side effects and negative publicity is something that Soy Products (Sales) Pty Ltd does not want to be involved in or held responsible for. We wholeheartedly support the well informed stance adopted by Mr. Mark Laucke, the current President of the Flour Millers Council of Australia.

It is our view that folic acid should be prescribed only for those sectors of the population who require it, namely women intending to become pregnant and pregnant women and that the dosage should be properly regulated and monitored to meet their specific needs. Suitable supplements are already commercially available. This is more easily, cheaply and reliably controlled and would be more effective and safer for the whole community including the expectant mothers.

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Soy Products (Sales) Pty Ltd, both in its own right, and through its position of thought leadership and unique F.G. Robert’s brand product range, actively encourages proper nutrition and always takes a thoughtful and well informed look at any public health improvement initiatives prior to adopting and/or supporting them. However, it believes there are some very serious doubts about the safety and efficacy of the Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification effective of September 2009.

While it is undeniable that optimised folic acid nutrition is vital in the case of child bearing women, as folic acid availability can reduce the risks of neural tube defects in babies including spina bifida, there are also serious risks that the enforced consumption of folic acid may impose adverse health risks upon the wider population.

Scientific modelling indicates that the synthetic form of folate to be used is poorly metabolised and may result in circulating folic acid around the body via the bloodstream. The consequences of which are poorly understood and potentially dangerous.

There is some evidence that folic acid may accelerate various cancers including leukaemia, colorectal, prostrate, breast and pancreatic cancers. Folic acid may also mask Vitamin B12 deficiency which may have serious neurological consequences, particularly in the elderly, if undetected and untreated.

Medical Scientists have also linked folic acid with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Anaemia, Asthma, Autism, Heart attacks, Ectopic pregnancies and Type1 Diabetes and shown that it interferes with the drug treatments in such disorders as Epilepsy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis and Malaria.

There are a number of other serious concerns including the practicality of implementation. Firstly the prescribed dosage is higher than the recommended daily intake for most people but will fall short of that required for the target population of pregnant and pre-conceptive women: i.e. the latter will therefore require additional supplementation. This begs the question of why not to supplement this group’s whole folic acid requirement rather than impose MFF on the entire community.

The other problem with mandatory fortification is that it leads to consumers presuming or assuming that their nutritional requirements for folate are being fully met by their diet. The consequence of this is often a net decline in dietary folate levels in targeted population groups. The question also arises as to whether bread is the best or most appropriate form of supplementation as there can be wide variations in the amount of bread consumed by different individuals: some people will obviously overdose while others will not get enough.

In my next blog I will continue to write about the implications of the Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification.

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