§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to introduce folic acid supplements into flour; [42086]
(2) what assessment he has made of the costs and benefits of the introduction of folic acid into flour. [42085]
§ Yvette CooperA consultation document on whether or not to fortify wheat flour with folic acid was issued in July 2000 jointly by the Department and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This was based on the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (2000) conclusion that fortification of wheat flour with folic acid would help reduce the number of births affected by neural tube defects. The consultation responses have been analysed and a summary is posted on the DH website.
Following the consultation, the Department and FSA undertook or commissioned further work to address concerns raised. This work included a preliminary cost-benefit analyses. However, there are considerable uncertainties on key costs and effectiveness variables. The analyses took account of the increased risk of neuropathy in the elderly as well as the benefits of reduced risks of birth defects.
The policy options will need to be considered by the FSA Board as well as Health Ministers. The UK Health Departments and the FSA held a stakeholders meeting on 18 March 2002 to discuss the issue and inform policy decisions.