UK on folate

The UK Food Standards Agency will initiate a 12-week consultation period in May to gather the views of consumers, stakeholders and industry on improving the folate status of young women. Comments will be sought on whether to "increase the effort to encourage young women to take supplements and changes to the diet to increase the consumption of folate-rich foods," or to "implement mandatory fortification of the most appropriate food vehicle." Other options are to "further encourage voluntary fortification of foods" or to "maintain the status quo and do nothing at this stage." FSA's Board decided the consultation was necessary during an April 6 meeting. After the comment period closes, the board will make a recommendation at an open meeting in September, collect further comment, then make an official recommendation to the Health Ministers. A recent study found that a more rapid decline in stroke mortality in the U.S. might be linked to mandatory folate fortification (1"The Tan Sheet" March 20, 2006, p. 9)...