This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8315836.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Experts back folic acid in bread | Experts back folic acid in bread |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Folic acid should be added to bread on a mandatory basis, the Food Standards Agency has advised government. | Folic acid should be added to bread on a mandatory basis, the Food Standards Agency has advised government. |
| It says the move could cut the number of babies being born with spina bifida by nearly two thirds, as the vitamin plays a key role in foetal development. | It says the move could cut the number of babies being born with spina bifida by nearly two thirds, as the vitamin plays a key role in foetal development. |
| Women are advised to take supplements before becoming pregnant, but many do not do so, or take them too late. | Women are advised to take supplements before becoming pregnant, but many do not do so, or take them too late. |
| Research has linked folic acid to a raised cancer risk, but the FSA said the evidence was not convincing. | Research has linked folic acid to a raised cancer risk, but the FSA said the evidence was not convincing. |
| The US and Canada started fortification of bread flour in the late 1990s, and some of the subsequent research has pointed to an increase in cases of bowel cancer. | The US and Canada started fortification of bread flour in the late 1990s, and some of the subsequent research has pointed to an increase in cases of bowel cancer. |
| However the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which advises the FSA, said this evidence was insubstantial and that any increase in cases could be down to improved screening. | However the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which advises the FSA, said this evidence was insubstantial and that any increase in cases could be down to improved screening. |
| It did, however, recommend that those deemed to be at greater risk of colon cancer should receive precautionary advice on taking extra supplements containing folic acid, and that the situation should be monitored. | It did, however, recommend that those deemed to be at greater risk of colon cancer should receive precautionary advice on taking extra supplements containing folic acid, and that the situation should be monitored. |
| Unplanned pregnancies | Unplanned pregnancies |
| Last month there were calls for all Scottish women to take folic acid - even those not planning a family - after 15 babies were born with spina bifida since the start of the year. | |
| Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin found in a wide variety of foods including liver and green leafy vegetables. | Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin found in a wide variety of foods including liver and green leafy vegetables. |
| The body cannot store it, so it must be ingested daily via supplements or folate-rich foods. | The body cannot store it, so it must be ingested daily via supplements or folate-rich foods. |
| The vitamin is known to prevent neural tube defects in foetuses, but many women do not take it - in part because pregnancies are often unplanned and can go unnoticed for many weeks. | The vitamin is known to prevent neural tube defects in foetuses, but many women do not take it - in part because pregnancies are often unplanned and can go unnoticed for many weeks. |
| As well as cutting the incidence of spina bifida, latest research from Canada also suggests it can reduce the risk of congenital heart problems in babies. | As well as cutting the incidence of spina bifida, latest research from Canada also suggests it can reduce the risk of congenital heart problems in babies. |
| But while cereal has long been fortified, suggestions that bread should be supplemented have been rejected by those who argue it is tantamount to mass medication. | But while cereal has long been fortified, suggestions that bread should be supplemented have been rejected by those who argue it is tantamount to mass medication. |
| The FSA's advice has been sent to the UK's chief medical officer - Sir Liam Donaldson, who is known to be an advocate of fortification. | The FSA's advice has been sent to the UK's chief medical officer - Sir Liam Donaldson, who is known to be an advocate of fortification. |
| Legislation would be needed however for the move to go ahead. | Legislation would be needed however for the move to go ahead. |
| A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We will now consider their recommendation for the introduction of mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid alongside controls on voluntary fortification." | A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We will now consider their recommendation for the introduction of mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid alongside controls on voluntary fortification." |