MOVES to add folic acid to flour to help reduce birth defects will have a “monumental” impact on the health of babies in Scotland, a charity chief has said.
It was reported yesterday that ministers have backed a plan to fortify flour in the UK with the substance.
Health professionals have long called for that to happen, saying it could reduce the incidence of conditions such as spina bifida.
Andy Wynd, chief executive of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland said: “A decision to proceed with mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid would have a monumental impact on the health of babies in Scotland.
Flour fortification is already done in more than 80 countries worldwide and research shows it can reduce the number of babies born with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, by as much as 70%.
“This news is especially important in Scotland as we have more live births of babies with spina bifida per head of population than anywhere else in the UK.
“The move is the culmination of more than 20 years of campaigning on the part of SBH Scotland, as well as scientists and health officials across the country. We look forward to hearing more from government ministers in due course.”
Pregnant women, and those trying to conceive, are urged by health officials to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid, at least until the 12th week of pregnancy.
But many women do not take the supplements, especially if a pregnancy is unplanned.
Last year, the Scottish and Welsh governments wrote to then health secretary Jeremy Hunt urging him to take action and introduce mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid in the UK.
The latest reports said the policy would be introduced within weeks.
Kate Steele, chief executive of the charity Shine, which helps families affected by neural tube defects, said: “Mandatory fortification will be a game-changer for the UK. A government decision to introduce mandatory fortification will mean a major positive impact for the health and well-being of babies born in the future. In many cases, it will be the difference between life and death.”
Clare Murphy, director of external affairs at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) said: “The UK has one of the highest rates of neural tube defects in Europe.
Around 1000 pregnancies are affected every year, and the vast majority will end in the painful decision to terminate what is often a very much wanted pregnancy.
“Sadly, most fetal anomalies are not preventable, but those related to folic acid deficiency can be reduced.
“Folic acid fortification is a straightforward public health intervention which will spare hundreds of women the heartbreak of receiving the news that their baby has a serious condition.
“After years of delay, we urge the Government to bring forward folic acid fortification as soon as possible in order to get the best possible pregnancy outcomes for as many women as possible.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel