Mandatory fortification with folic acid: what would hippocrates say?

Abstract

In October 2006, the Australian and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council asked for a review of the proposed food standard permitting mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid. This article contributes to the policy debate associated with the standard&rsquo;s review by discussing the potential benefits and risks to the target population and the wider Australian population with emphasis on recent (2006) literature.<br /