Please note: This publication has been rescinded
The request followed the revision by the NFA of food standard A9 - Vitamins and Minerals. The findings of the panel and its recommendations, based on its terms of reference, are explained in detail in this report.
Synopsis
Numerous studies and major trials have established that here is a negative association between folate and neural tube defects (NTDs): The risk of NTDs decreases as folate intakes increase.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) established an expert panel on folate fortification after the National Food Authority (NFA) asked that the NHMRC assess the issue of folate fortification of foods to prevent neural tube defects.
The request followed the revision by the NFA of food standard A9 - Vitamins and Minerals. The findings of the panel and its recommendations, based on its terms of reference, are explained in detail in this report.
The major issues discussed are:
- the relationship between folate, other nutrients and neural tube defects;
- estimated folate intakes and upper targets for intake;
- methods for reducing NTDs;
- effects of fortification on the population;
- technical and economic implications of fortification;
- health claims, and;
- monitoring and surveillance
