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08/03/2016
The advice would then be used to help ministers decide how to move forward with a policy – on a Scotland-only basis. It is understood that while the Scottish Government wishes for a UK-wide solution, the UK Government has yet failed to commit to the measure.
The respective governments in Northern Ireland and Wales have also publicly supported the fortification of flour.
By international standards, folate levels are low across the UK, particularly in Scotland, and the Scottish Government believes mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is the best way to reduce neural tube defects like Spina Bifida in unborn babies.
In November 2015, Ms Watt wrote to UK Public Health Minister Jane Ellison to ask the UK Government to consider mandatory fortification, but she again failed to commit to doing so.
In an updated letter, Ms Watt said: "Our consistent position is that UK-wide mandatory fortification of flour is the best way to reduce neural tube defects. However, despite repeated requests it's clear that the UK Government has no intention of doing so at this time.
"I have therefore asked Food Standards Scotland to provide some detailed advice on how we could do this on a Scotland-only basis. This advice will then be used to allow us to make a decision on what our next steps should be.
"There are far too many babies being born with Spina Bifida in Scotland – particularly in our more deprived communities. Folic acid is tasteless, entirely safe within recommended intake levels and is already included in many foods like breakfast cereals."
She continued: "There are 78 countries around the world that already have mandatory fortification of flour. The USA has done it for the past eight years, with no adverse effects on health. By joining them we can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida."
In response, Ross Finnie, Chair of Food Standards Scotland, said: "As Scotland's independent public food body, we will be happy to provide the Scottish Government with the advice that has been requested. Such advice will fit well with our statutory duty to improve the diet of the Scottish population.
"The advice we provide will enable the Scottish Government to determine the best way forward to reduce neural tube defects. In doing so, we will draw on the previous body of advice provided by the Food Standards Agency as well as taking account of any new evidence and advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition."
(JP)
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Scotland's Health Minister Calls For Folic Acid Advice
Scotland's Public Health Minister, Maureen Watt, has written to Food Standards Scotland for advice on the next steps of potentially fortifying flour with folic acid.The advice would then be used to help ministers decide how to move forward with a policy – on a Scotland-only basis. It is understood that while the Scottish Government wishes for a UK-wide solution, the UK Government has yet failed to commit to the measure.
The respective governments in Northern Ireland and Wales have also publicly supported the fortification of flour.
By international standards, folate levels are low across the UK, particularly in Scotland, and the Scottish Government believes mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is the best way to reduce neural tube defects like Spina Bifida in unborn babies.
In November 2015, Ms Watt wrote to UK Public Health Minister Jane Ellison to ask the UK Government to consider mandatory fortification, but she again failed to commit to doing so.
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In an updated letter, Ms Watt said: "Our consistent position is that UK-wide mandatory fortification of flour is the best way to reduce neural tube defects. However, despite repeated requests it's clear that the UK Government has no intention of doing so at this time.
"I have therefore asked Food Standards Scotland to provide some detailed advice on how we could do this on a Scotland-only basis. This advice will then be used to allow us to make a decision on what our next steps should be.
"There are far too many babies being born with Spina Bifida in Scotland – particularly in our more deprived communities. Folic acid is tasteless, entirely safe within recommended intake levels and is already included in many foods like breakfast cereals."
She continued: "There are 78 countries around the world that already have mandatory fortification of flour. The USA has done it for the past eight years, with no adverse effects on health. By joining them we can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida."
In response, Ross Finnie, Chair of Food Standards Scotland, said: "As Scotland's independent public food body, we will be happy to provide the Scottish Government with the advice that has been requested. Such advice will fit well with our statutory duty to improve the diet of the Scottish population.
"The advice we provide will enable the Scottish Government to determine the best way forward to reduce neural tube defects. In doing so, we will draw on the previous body of advice provided by the Food Standards Agency as well as taking account of any new evidence and advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition."
(JP)
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