Public Health Minister Steve Brine has announced that the Government will launch a consultation into the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.
The consultation, which will be launched in early 2019, will consider evidence that folic acid could prevent fetal abnormalities as well as its practicality and safety.
Evidence from the Scientific Advisory Committee of Nutrition (SACN) suggests that expectant mothers can take folic acid during pregnancy to significantly reduce the risk of foetal abnormalities.
In addition, the consultation will also consider if there are any risks to other members of the general public. These include whether additional folic acid in the diet will mask the diagnosis of conditions such as pernicious anaemia, which is a deficiency in the production of red blood cell.