Lobby group seeks to reopen folic acid decision

Lobby group seeks to reopen folic acid decision

It’s disappointing that a lobby group is challenging the Government’s sound decision to defer mandatory fortification of folic acid in bread, said Laurie Powell President of the New Zealand Association of Bakers and Katherine Rich, CEO of the NZ Food & Grocery Council (FGC) today.

“Any New Zealander has a right to challenge official processes, but this move which aims to overturn the Government’s decision will not be popular with the general public. New Zealanders made it crystal clear that they didn’t want folic acid in every loaf of bread while science gave conflicting messages.

“It was a courageous move by Minister Kate Wilkinson, and one which continues to be proved correct as concerns are raised in other jurisdictions where folic acid has been made compulsory,” says Mrs Rich.

“We have heeded the Prime Minister’s public comments that he wanted our members to step up and deliver a voluntary programme so that consumers have a choice. Over the past 6 months bakers and FGC members have worked constructively with the New Zealand Food Safety Authority on a voluntary fortification programme, which targets a range of breads that women actually eat, not those most likely eaten by children,” said Mr Powell.

“Our expert advice continues to raise concerns for children and suggests that while it’s not clear whether or not high concentrations of folate and possibly exposure to unmetabolized folic acid as a result of mandatory fortification might influence children’s brain development adversely, it’s best for New Zealand to wait until further research is conclusive,” said Mrs Rich.

Prior to taking this courageous and common sense decision the Government allowed for a period for public comment and many New Zealanders took the opportunity to have their say. The Government has made the right call and followed due process. What’s more the justification for the decision remains sound, said Mr Powell.

ENDS

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