FLOUR COULD BE fortified with folic acid to reduce birth defects in Ireland. 

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has today launched an online public consultation seeking the views and opinions from the public about mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid. 

The UK first floated the idea of adding folic acid to flour back in 2018 in a bid to reduce birth defects.

Legislation in the UK introduced in 2024 requires millers and flour producers to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid, with the measures due to come into force at the end of this year. 

The HSE recommends that all women who can get pregnant should take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.

“They should do this even if they are not planning to get pregnant,” the HSE said. 

Ireland has a higher-than-average rate of occurrence of neural tube defects compared with the rest of Europe. Research has shown that sufficient folic acid intake may help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects.

This is one of the reasons the government is considering following in the UK’s footsteps. 

Neural tube defects can occur when the spinal cord does not develop properly during early pregnancy.

However, all adults, not just women, can take folic acid on its own, according to the NHS.

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The minister said neural tube defects can have a profound impact on patients, their families and the health service.

“People living with neural tube defects often face significant challenges in terms of impacts on health and disability, social inclusion and quality of life. 

“Research has shown that up to two thirds of neural tube defects can be prevented by consuming folic acid before and during the early stages of pregnancy. Women typically cannot get enough folic acid through diet alone, so fortified foods and folic acid supplements are needed to help reach the required levels,” she said. 

The government hopes to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in Ireland in the future by increasing dietary intake of foods which have been fortified with folic acid, and by encouraging folic acid supplementation, she added. 

The topic of folic acid became a talking point during the Joint Committee on the 8th Amendment in 2018. 

Chair of the committee at the time, Senator Catherine Noone, said the expectation of women taking folate tablets daily was unrealistic and that adding acid to bread would have no negative outcomes.

Former Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell has also spoken about the issue, stating that from her experience as a pharmacist, she’s aware there is “a huge amount of ignorance surrounding folic acid” and the role it plays in helping prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy.

The public consultation is open to members of the public and the government is also interested in the views of ‘food industry’ and related business operators and how flour fortification with folic acid may affect their activities. 

The submissions for this online consultation will close at 5pm on 5 October 2026.