Forced folic acid fortification not justified

By David Liu (davidl@foodconsumer.org)

Irish researchers found evidence to suggest mandatory fortification of foods with folic acid may not be necessary for new mothers and their babies.

The researchers tested blood samples and found most new moms and babies had sufficient folic acid from foods that are fortified voluntarily by food companies.

Sufficient levels of folic acid are believed to be essential in reducing the risk of certain birth defects such as spina bifida. Because of this, food companies in many countries add folic acid voluntarily or involuntarily to breakfast cereal, bread and other food products.

Some previous studies have already revealed that excessive folic acid consumption may increase the risk for prostate cancer and possibly other diseases.

Mary Rose Sweeney of Dublin City University and colleagues wanted to know whether mandatory fortification of foods with folic acid is necessary as the healthy officials in Ireland are talking about mandating addition of this vitamin to foodstuff.

Sweeney and colleagues analyzed blood samples from 20 mothers and 20 infants and found folic acid in the majority of blood samples was not all metabolized, meaning that the status of folic acid fortification shouldn't be changed.

The study appears this week in the journal BMC public Health.