Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Interim Evaluation of the Voluntary Folate Fortification Policy

Three strategies, singly or in combination for the primary prevention of Neural Tube Defects, are now in use in several countries. These include: fortification of foods with folate, promotion of periconceptional use of folate supplements, and promotion of diets high in natural sources of folate. Folate fortification is the preferred strategy in many countries because of its potential to reach the largest proportion of women of child-bearing age prior to conception, in doses thought to be effective. As yet, no systematic evaluations of the outcomes of national folate fortification programs have been published; these are early days.

Prepared by Bonnie Abraham and Dr Karen Webb, Australian Food and Nutrition Monitoring Unit for Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
2001
ISBN: 0 642 82049 X

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For further information please phone the Population Health Division on 1800 020 103 (and ask for extension 8654) or email PHD Frontdesk.