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.”