Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification: In Newfoundland and Labrador

2007 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-145
Author(s):  
Barbara V. Roebothan ◽  
Joy Carmichael ◽  
Valerie Barter ◽  
Jane Aucoin ◽  
Madonna Murphy

Purpose: Dietary folic acid (FA) intakes were analyzed in random samples of 302 young women (aged 18 to 34) and 337 seniors (aged 65 to 74) residing in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The analyses were an attempt to estimate the amount of FA they would consume solely because of mandatory fortification of foods. Methods: Secondary analysis was performed on raw data collected through single 24-hour recalls as part of a larger study. Results: The dietary FA contributed by fortified foods eaten in the specified amounts was estimated to be 136 to 148 mcg/day (226 to 247 DFE/day) for young women and 151 to 160 mcg/day (252 to 267 DFE/day) for seniors. Most of this FA was contributed to the diet by enriched white flour. Conclusions: Mandatory fortification of foods appears to have improved the total mean intake of folate by young women and seniors residing in NL.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siya Khanna ◽  
Susanne Aufreiter ◽  
Deborah O'Connor

Abstract Objectives In 1998, Health Canada mandated folic acid fortification of white flour and enriched grain products to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects. In 2009, we reported that the analyzed folate content of 95 of the mostly commonly purchased folic acid fortified foods in Canada was on average 151 ± 16% of that reported in the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF). The aim of this study was to assess whether 20 years after mandatory fortification, the CNF values for folate and folic acid accurately reflect amounts determined by direct assessment. Methods Using the 2007 ACNielsen Company data 15 of the most commonly purchased folic acid-fortified foods from each of the following categories were selected: “breads”, “rolls and buns”, “cookies” and “crackers”. Folate concentrations in foods were determined using the tri-enzyme digestion method followed by a microbiological assay. Synthetic folic acid concentrations were determined using stable-isotope liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analyzed values were compared to the 2015 Canadian Nutrient File; unbranded foods. Results Our preliminary data show the total folate content analyzed in foods (n = 24 to date) was significantly higher than the CNF values across all categories (P < 0.01) and on average, 187% ± 15 of the CNF values. Similarly, the synthetic folic acid content in foods was significantly higher than CNF values for “rolls and buns” and “cookies” (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively) and on average 163% ± 25 of the CNF values. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest, 20 years after mandatory fortification of the food supply, CNF values which include unbranded foods do not accurately represent the amounts of total folate and synthetic folic acid in foods. Hence dietary estimates established using the CNF many significantly underestimate actual intakes due to continued overages in folic acid fortification. Funding Sources Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.


2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Moynihan ◽  
A. J. Rugg-Gunn ◽  
T. J. Butler ◽  
A. J. Adamson

The UK Department of Health recently recommended that flour be fortified with folic acid, at 2400 μg/kg. The objectives of the present paper were: to determine the consequence of this on folic acid intake of adolescents; to determine the level of fortification necessary to achieve an intake of 400 μg/d in adolescent girls (the amount recommended periconceptionally); to estimate the consequence of fortification on folic acid intake of high flour consumers; and to report on folate intake of adolescents. Dietary intake of folate and flour were determined by analysis of an existing database of the diets of 379 English adolescents. The folic acid intake that would result from white flour fortification with folic acid at 2400 μg/kg was determined and the level of folic acid fortification necessary to achieve an intake of 400 μg/d in girls from this source was also calculated. Without flour fortification, 6·9 % of girls failed to reach the UK lower reference nutrient intake for total folate. Fortification of white flour with folic acid at 2400 μg/kg would result in an additional folic acid intake of 191(SEM 6) μg/d in girls. To ensure 97 % of girls received 400 μg/d from white flour, white flour would need to be fortified at a level of 10 430 μg/kg, resulting in intakes of 1260 μg/d from flour in the highest (97·5 centile) female white flour consumers and 1422 μg/d from flour in the highest (97·5 centile) male white flour consumers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 827-827
Author(s):  
Arick Wang ◽  
Charles Rose ◽  
Yan Ping Qi ◽  
Jennifer Williams ◽  
Christine Pfeiffer ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Surveillance data have highlighted continued disparities in neural tube defects (NTDs) among infants of Hispanic women of reproductive age (HWRA) in the United States. Starting in 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration implemented voluntary folic acid fortification of corn masa flour to reduce the risk of NTDs. We assessed folate status, using red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations, in HWRA (aged 12–49 y) before (2011–2016) and after (2017–2018) voluntary fortification of corn masa, stratified by acculturation factors (i.e., primary language spoken at home, length of time residing in the US). Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 with available RBC folate concentrations for HWRA were analyzed. Additional analyses were conducted among HWRA whose only folic acid source was fortified foods (enriched cereal grain products (ECGP) only), including usual intake and NTD prevalence estimations based on previously published models. Results Overall, RBC folate concentrations (adjusted geometric means) among HWRA remained similar from 2011–2016 to 2017–2018, though RBC folate significantly increased in 2017–2018 among lesser acculturated HWRA consuming ECGP only. Concentrations for those who were born outside the US and resided in the US &lt; 15 y increased from 894 nmol/L (95% CI: 844–946) in 2011–2016 to 1018 nmol/L (95% CI: 982–1162; p &lt; 0.001) in 2017–2018. Primarily Spanish speaking HWRA who consumed ECGP only increased from 941 nmol/L (95% CI: 895–990) in 2011–2016 to 1034 nmol/L (95% CI: 966–1107; p = 0.03) in 2017–2018. We observed no significant changes in the proportion at risk of NTD (&lt;748 nmol/L) and no changes in Bayesian model-based estimated NTD rates. Conclusions This early analysis following voluntary corn masa fortification found an increase in RBC folate concentrations in lesser acculturated groups relying on fortified foods as their primary folic acid source, though HWRA overall had no significant increase in folate concentrations. These early data suggests that there is remaining risk among Hispanics for folate sensitive NTDs; continued monitoring of folate status with NHANES will help assess the long-term efficacy of voluntary fortification. Funding Sources No funding sources outside of salaries.


2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Longerich ◽  
Roy West ◽  
Ed Randell ◽  
Marian Crowley ◽  
Shiliang Liu ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-553
Author(s):  
Luciana Y. Tomita ◽  
Andréia C. da Costa ◽  
Solange Andreoni ◽  
Luiza K.M. Oyafuso ◽  
Vânia D’Almeida ◽  
...  

Background: Folic acid fortification program has been established to prevent tube defects. However, concern has been raised among patients using anti-folate drug, i.e. psoriatic patients, a common, chronic, autoimmune inflammatory skin disease associated with obesity and smoking. Objective: To investigate dietary and circulating folate, vitamin B12 (B12) and homocysteine (hcy) in psoriatic subjects exposed to the national mandatory folic acid fortification program. Methods: Cross-sectional study using the Food Frequency Questionnaire, plasma folate, B12, hcy and psoriasis severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Median, interquartile ranges (IQRs) and linear regression models were conducted to investigate factors associated with plasma folate, B12 and hcy. Results: 82 (73%) mild psoriasis, 18 (16%) moderate and 12 (11%) severe psoriasis. 58% female, 61% non-white, 31% former smokers, and 20% current smokers. Median (IQRs) were 51 (40, 60) years. Only 32% reached the Estimated Average Requirement of folate intake. Folate and B12 deficiencies were observed in 9% and 6% of the blood sample respectively, but hyperhomocysteinaemia in 21%. Severity of psoriasis was negatively correlated with folate and B12 concentrations. In a multiple linear regression model, folate intake contributed positively to 14% of serum folate, and negative predictors were psoriasis severity, smoking habits and saturated fatty acid explaining 29% of circulating folate. Conclusion: Only one third reached dietary intake of folate, but deficiencies of folate and B12 were low. Psoriasis severity was negatively correlated with circulating folate and B12. Stopping smoking and a folate rich diet may be important targets for managing psoriasis.


2004 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. S44-S48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Hertrampf ◽  
Fanny Cortes

2008 ◽  
Vol 108 (12) ◽  
pp. 2090-2094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysheh M. Shuaibi ◽  
James D. House ◽  
Gustaaf P. Sevenhuysen

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