Folic Acid added to bread?

**Will** · 04-05-2006, 08:38 PM

I just saw a report that the Government is considering forcing bread manufacturers to add folic acid to bread, as a necessary supliment for pregnant women?

I just wonder why this lies on bread manufacturers? Will the government pay for this extra ingrediant? How about just giving better advice to pregnant women about what suppliments they should be taking?

Bruv · 04-06-2006, 12:49 AM

I am sure it will do Pregnant women a lot of good......but please NO! NO! NO!

Why dont they just give out the dosage to pregnant women on their first Doctors visit?
I heard it's best they have the folic acid at conception stage so that wouldn't work.
Could this be another all fools day joke? Because it sounds like one to me...and I might even enrol with had-enough and man the barricades.....this is a step too far.

Sid · 04-06-2006, 12:24 PM

They do offer it to pregnant women on their first visit. The problem is that most women don't realise they are until around six weeks. This is the time the benefit is gained from folic acid. It's got something to do with helping in the forming of the brain and spinal cord, which happens in the first six weeks.

Why so against it anyway?

This is what it's about:
What Is It?

Folic acid, also called folate or folacin, is a B vitamin with a solid reputation for protecting against birth defects and heart disease. If adults were to get an adequate amount of this vitamin, it is estimated that 50,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented each year in the United States alone. Moreover, common birth defects could be cut nearly in half. Other ailments, such as depression, Alzheimer's disease, and certain types of cancer may respond to the effects of folic acid as well.

Too much of it is apparently 1000mcg a day, which is about 40 grams of Marmite. Even then it wouldn't do much harm, except to give you really smelly breath!

**Will** · 04-06-2006, 02:26 PM

There are many things that are good for us, is our right to choose what we eat next to go? It is clear Sid that you are more then happy to let the goverment dictate our entire lives for us, but I'm afraid many people don't share such left wing views.

Sid · 04-07-2006, 04:17 PM

I think there is a difference between having our entire lives dictated to us and saving unborn children, who obviously don't have any say in what their mothers eat, from having life long problems, or even being stillborn.

Bruv · 04-07-2006, 11:46 PM

It is strange how there are movements to stop the major food manufaturers from putting additives into our food, and the Government is suggesting dosing up pre Pregnant women as a catch all to improve our health.Why not insist on advertisement/guidence on Contraceptive Pills educating women of child bearing age that they need folic acid if they are thinking of having children?
Targeted advertising ,cheaper and less controvertial?

had_enough · 04-08-2006, 07:26 AM

Nanny state strikes again.
How long will it before some dies from too much folic acid and they do an about turn on it.Dont they realize that people may be allergic to this....
I can see labels on every packet of bread warning us, that "bread can kill"

The Relic · 04-17-2006, 10:29 PM

I've got no problems with adding it - welcome it, in fact. It can't harm anyone, after all, and can potentially avoid a good deal of grief.

Women intending to get pregnant later in life do take folic acid tablets - my wife did. But some late babies are "accidental" and the clear evidence that folic acid can help prevent birth defects justifies its use as an additive. One healthy child born as a result easily outweighs those who seem perfectly happy to swallow preservatives, MSG, colourings made from insects and whatever but for some reason see this sensible measure as an imposition.