FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY DECISION ON FOLIC ACID

Early day motion 1317, tabled 15 May 2002 by Helen Clark (Labour). Signed by 21 members.

That this House is dismayed at the decision by the Food Standards Agency not to recommend to the Government to bring to the UK population the health benefits of increased folic acid consumption, through the fortification of flour with this vitamin, as already available in the United States and Canada as a result of British research; points out that fortification was recommended in the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy report of January 2000; recognises that this simple measure would not only reduce the incidence of spina bifida, but could also reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes and help prevent Alzheimers Disease and bowel cancer throughout the population; and points out that the cited reason for the FSA decision, namely that it might mask the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly people could be resolved by a simple blood test.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 6, Labour/Co-operative 1, UUP 1.