§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to ensure that breads, cereals and flours are enriched with folic acid.
§ Mr. SoamesMany breakfast cereals and a number of breads are already fortified with folic acid. My Department has written to the relevant trade organisations to encourage them to increase the range of produces fortified with folic acid in line with recommendations of the expert advisory group in its report to the Chief Medical Officer, "Folic Acid and the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects". The response has been positive and some new fortified products have appeared on the market already. We shall keep in touch with the industry on developments.