The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) last month released a discussion paper on options for the future of the standard on fortifying bread with folic acid in New Zealand.
The discussion paper outlines four options for discussion that range from mandatory fortification of most breads from 30 September 2012, to providing for voluntary fortification indefinitely.
The options were developed in consultation with the Folic Acid Working Group (FAWG), which was established by the Minister for Food Safety in 2009 to contribute to the development and assessment of information about fortification of bread with folic acid.
FAWG includes baking representatives, health professionals, academics, government officials and groups who represent families affected by neural tube defects.
To inform the review of the future of the standard MPI has released a scientific paper which looks at both international and New Zealand research on folic acid fortification of bread and women’s blood folate levels.
Two of the research studies were commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (formerly MAF). One was carried out in 2011 and shows that women’s blood folate levels have improved since 2008/09.
The other was carried out in 2010 and indicates that only about a quarter of women understand the relationship between folate and prevention of neural tube defects.
The consultation began in the middle of May and runs for eight weeks, finishing on Monday 16 July 2012.
“This will give all interested parties an opportunity to consider the options and let us know their views. This is an important issue, we encourage people to go to our website and make submissions,” said Julie Collins, director of Biosecurity, Food and Animal Welfare Policy.
“MPI will then analyse the submissions and give advice to the Minister for Food Safety.”
Fortification of bread with folic acid was due to become mandatory in September 2009. Just prior to this date, the baking industry and consumers expressed concern about mandatory fortification of bread.
Following public consultation, the Minister for Food Safety amended the standard to delay the date for mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid until 2012. She made a commitment to a full review of the standard before it became mandatory to fortify bread with folic acid. This public consultation process is part of the review the Minister committed to in 2009.
In 2009 the Minister created a Folic Acid Working Group (FAWG), to contribute to the development and assessment of information about folic acid fortification. The Working Group has supported extending the date to allow a full discussion of the issues and to allow the latest New Zealand and international scientific research to be taken into account.
The discussion and scientific paper are available at www.foodsafety.govt.nz/consultation/
