The addition of folic acid to certain foods may become mandatory as health authorities look for a way to increase the folate intake of pregnant women.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is examining ways to ensure women have a recommended amount of folate in their diet during the peri-conceptual period.

Research has shown an increase of folate during this stage of pregnancy lowers the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in babies, including spina bifida.

The Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council has asked the FSANZ to investigate mandatory fortification of food with folic acid to reduce the incidence of NTDs.

Since 1995, Australian food manufacturers have been permitted to voluntarily add folate to a number of cereal-based foods, fruit and vegetable juices and drinks, yeast and meat extracts.

But this has failed to increase the folate intake in women of child-bearing age who are still well below the recommended 400 micrograms per day.

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From Healthy.net