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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 7/2023

Open Access 19-01-2023 | Folic Acid | Review

Mandatory fortification with folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects: a case study of Australia and New Zealand

Authors: Lyall Thurston, Barry Borman, Carol Bower

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 7/2023

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Abstract

Purpose

To present a case study of the considerations of mandatory fortification with folic acid in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

Review of published reports and consumer advocacy views.

Results

Australia and New Zealand jointly approved mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in 2007. Fortification was fully implemented in Australia in 2009 and has resulted in reduction in NTD. At the last minute, industry lobbying led to the New Zealand government not proceeding with fortification. With continued consumer advocacy, mounting scientific evidence, and a change of government, approval was given in 2021 for mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.

Conclusion

In large part as a response to consumer pressure, New Zealand has now joined with Australia (and around 70 other countries) in fortifying flour with folic acid for the prevention of NTD.
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Metadata
Title
Mandatory fortification with folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects: a case study of Australia and New Zealand
Authors
Lyall Thurston
Barry Borman
Carol Bower
Publication date
19-01-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Folic Acid
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 7/2023
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-022-05823-x

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