Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition will review evidence published since 2017 on the relationship between folic acid and prostate cancer before mandatory fortification begins.

The issues raised by the Hon. Member for Surrey Heath have been dealt with in answers to previous written questions. Most recently, I refer him to the answers provided on 10 July in response to Question 15320 and on 15 July in response to Question 16699.

The mandatory addition of nutrients to flour is not a new concept, as non-wholemeal wheat flour is already required to be fortified with calcium, iron, niacin, and thiamin. Responsibility for enforcing the updated Bread and Flour Regulations remains with local authorities. UK-wide guidance for food businesses and enforcement authorities on compliance with the current requirements, including the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid, was published in April 2025, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bread-and-flour-labelling-and-composition