A UK-wide consultation on proposed amendments to the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998, which requires the addition of certain nutrients to non-wholemeal wheat flour to protect public health, has been launched by the government.

The 12-week consultation, which launched on Thursday 1st September, is being led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in collaboration with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Wales and Northern Ireland (NI).

The consultation seeks views on proposals to make adjustments to the nutrients currently added to non-wholemeal wheat flour, and the addition of folic acid, with the aim of improving public health outcomes for the UK population.

The addition of folic acid to help reduce the incidence of foetal neural tube defects follows a previous consultation and an agreement by the UK government and devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to proceed with its mandatory fortification.

According to the FSS, the package of proposals being put forward will improve public health, support UK industry, assist enforcement authorities and protect consumers.

Shaping future policy

Geoff Ogle, CEO at FSS, commented: “This consultation marks an important stage in the process of ensuring that the regulations covering bread and flour in Scotland, and the rest of the UK, are fit for purpose and, critically, support public health.

“A key part of this consultation is the addition of folic acid to help prevent foetal neural tube defects. There is strong evidence that many such defects can be prevented by women increasing their intake of folic acid before conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

“This consultation gives the public and stakeholders an opportunity to comment on all aspects of the proposed amendments to help shape the policy across the four nations.”

More information about the consultation can be found the Defra website. The consultation closes on 23rd November.