Health: Folic Acid Fortification

Lord Patel Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2014 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

There is a range of routes whereby we ensure that, as far as possible, women are advised on folic acid intake, particularly those women of childbearing age who may be thinking of starting a family. That includes the Start4Life information service and other media routes. I am not aware of specific media campaigns in this area, but if I can be enlightened on that I will write to my noble friend.

[Lord Patel (CB)]

The Minister commented that no other European country has adopted fortification. Does he agree that the reason for that is that no other European country has the same incidence of neural tube defects as we have here in the United Kingdom? The incidence is far greater in the United Kingdom.

[Earl Howe]

That is an issue that we will of course weigh up as we look at the risks and benefits and take a decision, as we will in the next few days.