Fresh calls to 'end' adding 'synthetic' ingredient to bread, pasta, and cakes ahead of December 13 deadline

Résumé détaillé

It has been branded 'unethical' and 'detrimental'

Pressure continues to grow on the Government to halt the planned addition of a synthetic acid to numerous everyday items including, breads, pastas, and cakes.

From December 13, it will be law for most non-wholemeal wheat flours to be fortified with folic acid, also known as synthetic vitamin B9. It is in a bid to reduce the number of cases of neural tube defects (NTDs) in pregnancy.

NTDs can cause several serious conditions to babies in the womb, including spina bifida, the Government says. Numerous everyday items like white bread, pasta, and baked goods are made with this flour and consumed in their millions across the UK every day.

But the move has attracted criticism in some quarters. A petition calling to 'end the mandatory fortification of white flour with folic acid immediately' has reached more than 133,000 signatures.

"The NHS website lists sections of the population (including people with cancer, a stent or low vitamin B12 levels) who should avoid folic acid exposure because of possible detrimental health impacts. Even if these people are aware of the issue, it is becoming harder to avoid as wholemeal and gluten free products are voluntarily adding folic acid."

In the UK, non-wholemeal wheat flour is already fortified by law with calcium, iron, niacin, and thiamin.

Launched on June 8 by Dr Clare Craig, the petition surged past the 10,000 signatures required for a Government response after just four days. It reached the 100,000 signatures required for a parliamentary debate on October 8. It is set to be debated on December 14.

The Government said: "Folic acid fortification is an evidenced public health measure, not a medical intervention. The policy applies to non-wholemeal flour, reflecting the flour-type already subject to fortification.

"The UK Government is mandating fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid with the primary objective to increase folic acid intake among women of childbearing age, thereby improving blood folate levels and…

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