Tens of thousands of people are demanding that the Government stops plans to add acid to a common food product consumed by millions across the UK. Legislation means that, by the end of the year, almost all bakers and millers will have to add folic acid to non-wholemeal wheat flour.
It is hoped that this will prevent around 200 cases of 'debilitating brain and spine defects' in babies every year. Folic acid is a type of folate (vitamin B9) that helps your body make new cells. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 'all women capable of becoming pregnant should get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily'.
Government defends public health measure
The Government says: "Folic acid deficiency is a leading cause of neural tube defects, which can cause a large number of serious and debilitating conditions to babies in the womb, including spina bifida."
"Flour is already fortified with calcium, niacin, thiamine and iron to improve public health. The move to include folic acid will reduce neural tube defects by 20% in the UK and improve the health of pregnant women. It will also deliver savings of around £20 million to the NHS over 10 years and boost the economy by more than £90 million over 10 years."
But not everybody agrees with the decision. A petition set up on the Government's petition page has been signed - at the time of writing - by more than 80,000 people.
Petition calls move 'unethical'
Started by a Dr Clare Craig on June 8, 2026, it says: "We call on the Government to stop the fortification of flour with synthetic folic acid. Folic acid is a medicine not a food. We believe it is unethical to mass medicate the entire population without their knowledge or consent in the hope that a minority group of people might see a benefit."
The NHS website lists sections of the population (including people with cancer, a stent or low vitamin B12 levels) who should avoid folic acid exposure because of possible detrimental health impacts. Even if these people are aware of the issue, it is becoming harder to avoid as wholemeal and gluten-free products are voluntarily adding folic acid.
The NHS says: "Most adults and children over 12 months can take folic acid tablets or liquid on their own. Multivitamins containing other vitamins combined with folic acid are not recommended for children under 12 years of age."
Folic acid tablets and liquid are not suitable for everyone. For example, they may not be suitable if:
- you've had an allergic reaction to folic acid or another ingredient used in the medicine in the past
- you have vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia or pernicious anaemia (a condition where your immune system attacks your body's healthy cells)
- you have a coronary stent (a small metal mesh tube inserted into the artery that leads to your heart)
- you have cancer
"Taking an extra dose of folic acid on its own is unlikely to cause problems, but taking too many multivitamin tablets or capsules can be dangerous."
Government response to petition
On June 12 - just four days after it was launched - it reached the 10,000 signatures required to warrant a response from the Government. The Department of Health & Social Care said: "Folic acid fortification is an evidenced public health measure, not a medical intervention. The policy applies to non-wholemeal flour, reflecting the flour-type already subject to fortification."
The NHS recommends that women who are trying for a baby take folic acid supplements for around three months before getting pregnant and for at least 12 weeks after becoming pregnant. This will remain in place even after folic acid is added to flour.
Folic acid is the man-made version of folate, which is found in small amounts in many foods. Good sources include:
- broccoli
- brussels sprouts
- leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach
- peas
- chickpeas and kidney beans
- liver (avoid liver if you are pregnant)
- breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid
Your body can not store folate for much time - so it needs a regular source to ensure you have enough. Taking doses of folic acid higher than 1mg can mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can eventually damage the nervous system if it's not spotted and treated. This is particularly a concern for older people because it becomes more difficult to absorb vitamin B12 as you get older.
Exemptions and international precedent
Not all millers will have to add it. Small-scale millers producing less than 500 metric tonnes of flour per year are exempt, although many across the country have already started adding it. The UK is not the first to start doing this. Australia, Canada, and the US have been putting folic acid into flour for years and have seen a drop in birth defects.
The new requirement applies to non-wholemeal wheat flour. This includes:
- white bread flours
- brown flours
- most general-purpose and cake flours
- specialist blends based on non-wholemeal wheat flour
The law does not apply to wholemeal flour and it does not apply to flours made from other grains (such as rye, spelt, buckwheat, einkorn, corn, or gluten-free blends), unless the miller chooses to add it voluntarily.
A number of sources say that the folic acid will not affect the taste or characteristics of the flour, and there is no need to adjust 'hydration, proofing, mixing times, or recipes'.
Ministers back the move
Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health, said: "Fortifying bread and flour with folic acid will help reduce neural tube defects and give women greater peace of mind throughout their pregnancy."
"This government is determined to support women and turn around maternity outcomes so every child can live a long, happy and fulfilling life."
Former Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner said: "When it comes to public health, prevention will always be better, and cheaper, than a cure."
"Fortified flour has been providing our country with a public health boost for 80 years and this latest collaboration across government will help give the nation’s children a strong start in life. We are grateful to industry for their efforts to support a smooth transition, with manufacturers having a 24-month transition period to adjust their processes."
