Folic Acid to Be Added to Bread by Law From 2026

Bread and flour will be fortified with folic acid under law in a bid to prevent serious birth defects in babies, the government has announced. The new legislation will require millers to add folic acid to non-wholemeal wheat flour from the end of 2026, meaning that everyone who consumes these foods will be exposed to the synthetic supplement, whether they need it or not. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9—also known as folate—which helps the body produce healthy red blood cells and new cells. While the government announcement does not make clear the distinction between folic acid and folate, some health experts have warned of the potential risks of too much folic acid to children, men, and women who aren’t pregnant or trying to conceive....