§ Mr. Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to fortify cereal grain flour in accordance with recommendations of the Medical Research Council vitamin study; and if he will make a statement. [334]
§ Mrs. BrowningI have been asked to reply.
The Medical Research Council vitamin study research group on the prevention of neural tube defects made no recommendations on the fortification of foods. An expert advisory group was, however, convened to consider the dietary implications of the results of the MRC study. Its report recommended inter alia that the range of breads and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid should be increased; that fortification with folic acid should be limited to breads and breakfast cereals; and that there should continue to be available a choice of unfortified breads and breakfast cereals. There was no recommendation to fortify flour. In response to the report the Government have encouraged the food industry to increase the range of breads and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid on a voluntary basis. It is estimated that last year 50 to 60 per cent. of breakfast cereals and about 10 per cent. of breads were fortified with folic acid.