Media statement
For immediate release
Thursday, 19 April 2007

We know it won't work, but let's do it anyway!

United Future health spokesperson Judy Turner says reducing the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns through increasing the dietary intake of folic acid by women of childbearing age is commendable.

"However, the mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid is not. It is daft for three clear reasons.

"Firstly because research has proven that bread is not widely consumed by the target group of women.

"Secondly because the level of folic acid planned for use would mean that even if the target group did eat bread, they would need to eat 11 slices of bread per day to be effective.

"And finally, because there are health risks to the non-target group from this mass medication.

"The Ministry of Health knows all this, so is this just a case of doing what we are told by our Aussie big brother with whom we jointly regulate such matters?

"I hope not because it doesn't look good when they are trying to sell us on the idea of a new joint regulator for therapeutic products, does it?" says Mrs Turner.

ENDS

© Scoop Media