Concern over Folate in Bread

MEDIA RELEASE

The New Zealand Society of Naturopaths Express Concern over Folate in Bread

9th November 2010

The New Zealand Government are once again proposing the mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid – a B vitamin that has been scientifically shown to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida when supplemented by pregnant women.

The process was stalled in 2009 as an overwhelming percentage of the public expressed a concern for this taking place.

The New Zealand Society of Naturopaths (NZSN) do NOT support such an across the board fortification on the grounds that consumers should have freedom of choice with respect to their intake of synthetic vitamins.

“We are concerned about mandatory supplementation in a food consumed on a daily basis by most, as individual needs vary so greatly” says a spokesperson from the NZSN.

The main concerns of the NZSN are as follows;

• Mandatory fortification forces the consumers to supplement their diet with a synthetic vitamin

• Fortification of bread does not promote education of a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables, wholegrains, citrus fruit and yeast – all natural and well absorbed sources of folate (folic acid).

• Across the board fortification of folic acid may lead to dietary imbalances or excess consumption of the nutrient in young children who require less and also in those pregnant women who already choose to supplement with a multi-vitamin containing optimal levels of the vitamin.

The NZSN's does however recognise the importance of folic acid supplementation for pregnant women, those of child bearing age or those women wishing to become pregnant and would support a Government scheme to educate women in eating high folate foods as well as choosing to supplement their diet with one of the affordable vitamin supplements available over the counter.

The NZSN also advises that any woman wishing to become pregnant who has concerns over her nutritional status for a healthy conception and pregnancy, should contact a local naturopath to advise on healthy diet and supplementation. All naturopaths of the NZSN have met strict criteria and educational standards to become members and can be contacted through the website; www.naturopath.org.nz.

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