Health: Folic Acid Fortification

Lord Swinfen Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2014 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Swinfen (Con)]

My Lords, what are the risks of adding folic acid to flour?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, the scientific committee pointed to several risks. One is that an overdose of folic acid may mask vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly in the over-65s—and this may be an issue in which a number of us wish to declare an interest. The committee also pointed out that although there was no specific evidence of a link to bowel cancer, there are nevertheless experts who believe that the evidence is equivocal in that area, and we need to take the balance of opinion very seriously.