UK introduces folic acid fortification of flour to prevent neural tube defects

30 years ago the MRC Vitamin Study Research Group, led by Professor Sir Nicholas Wald, reported that folic acid supplementation for women around the time of conception reduced the risk of serious neural tube defects (NTDs; anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele) in their babies.1 That study led to the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification of staples such as flour in more than 80 countries in an effort to reduce the incidence of NTDs. As recently as July, 2021, New Zealand mandated fortification with folic acid.