HC Deb 06 February 2001 vol 362 c511W
36. Barbara Follett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that women are aware of the importance of taking folic acid during pregnancy. [147365]

Yvette Cooper

We encourage all women of child bearing age to increase the amount of folic acid they consume, and they are advised to increase their daily intake of folic acid by eating more folate-rich foods or foods fortified with folic acid. Women who are trying to conceive are advised to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms until the twelfth week of pregnancy.

We disseminate this important health information which is available with advice through local services and on request.