Folate - The Facts

A pilot health claim on food labels

To help reduce neural tube defects in babies.

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code permits a health claim communicating the benefits of folate to help reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in babies.

• The folate/neural tube defect health claim enables government, industry, professional and public health organisations and community groups to work together to promote an important public health message that is based on strong scientific evidence.
  
  
• Scientific experts agree that up to two-thirds of neural tube defects can be prevented if women consume sufficient folate at least one month prior to pregnancy and during the first three months of pregnancy. However, neural tube defects are the result of many factors, and only some of these are understood. Folate can help to prevent many neural tube defects, but more research into this problem is needed.
  
  
• The folate health claim is the only health claim permitted in Australia and New Zealand in relation to food. Health claims are messages which make a direct link between eating certain foods as part of people's diets and reducing the risk of a specific disease. Having a folate/neural tube defect health claim on food products will assist women of child bearing age to make healthier food choices.
  
  
• Folate is a B vitamin and is found naturally in certain foods such as fresh vegetables and fruit, orange juice, legumes, nuts, liver and yeast. It is present in fortified products such as breads and breakfast cereals and can also be taken in supplement (tablet) form.
  
  
• It's important for women of child bearing age to consume 400 micrograms of folate per day for one month prior to pregnancy and for the first three months of pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects.
  
  
• Neural tube defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocoele are major causes of disability in children and adults.
  
  
• Neural tube defects affect around 400-500 pregnancies in Australia each year. In New Zealand, some 15 babies are born each year with spina bifida. Neural tube defects are one of the most common birth defects in the western world.
  
  
• The number of cases of neural tube defects can be reduced by up to two thirds with adequate maternal intakes of folate.
  
  
• If families have a history of neural tube defects, they should consult their doctor as a higher dose of folate is needed.
  
  
• The effects of neural tube defects range from mild to severe outcomes, such as paraplegia and other physical and learning disabilities.
  
  
• By preventing neural tube defects, there will be cost savings of many millions of dollars each year to families and governments. But most importantly, families will be spared the emotional and social costs associated with neural tube defects.  

The scientic facts on folate are clear. Through the use of a health claim on food labels and community education, an immediate and significant contribution to reducing the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida can be made.