This is also specious. The phrase "Evidence does not show" is not conclusive that enough data has been properly collected. It should also be pointed out that the FDA mandates folic acid fortification!!
Based on its review of the scientific evidence, FDA finds that (1) the evidence does not show that 800 micrograms (mcg) folic acid per day is more effective in reducing the risk of NTD's than 400 mcg folic acid; (2) the evidence does not show that dietary supplements are more effective in reducing the risk of NTD's than foods in common form; and (3) the available evidence consistently shows that 400 mcg folic acid daily is a highly effective dose. FDA concludes from this review that the totality of publicly available scientific evidence demonstrates the lack of significant scientific agreement with respect to the comparative claim of effectiveness. FDA has also concluded that the weight of the evidence is against the proposed comparative claim. However, FDA concludes that the weight of the evidence supports the use of certain statements in conjunction with the currently authorized claim to inform consumers of the nature of the evidence relative to recommended intakes and ways to achieve these intakes. Accordingly, FDA intends to exercise its enforcement discretion with respect to the use of qualified claims about the strength of the evidence relative to the effective level and sources useful in meeting that level.
As seemingly refuted herein ....
The results of a number of studies have led to the conclusion that periconceptional folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of NTDs [5-8]. Among the responses to this research evidence were calls in the early 1990s for mandatory fortification of food with folic acid. It was argued that this public health intervention would address concerns about achieving population level compliance with recommendations to women to take vitamin supplements containing folic acid before becoming pregnant and in the first weeks of pregnancy. These concerns were borne out in several Canadian studies suggesting that many caregivers [18,19] and women [20,21] remained unaware of the relationship between folic acid and NTDs. More recent studies have shown an increase in knowledge about folic acid, but supplementation rates remain low [22-25].
In March 1996 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would permit addition of folic acid to enriched flour and other enriched cereal grain products, and that this addition would be mandatory as of January 1998. The level of fortification was set at 0.14 mg folic acid per 100 g of cereal grain product. It was determined that at this level of fortification, the intake of folate (from all sources) for the target and the general population would be kept below 1,000 µg/day, which was deemed to be the safe upper limit. This level of fortification was estimated to increase the average daily intake of folic acid in women of childbearing age by about 100 µg [26]. Subsequent to the US decision, Canada followed suit, permitting folic acid fortification at an equivalent level in December 1996 (addition of folic acid to white flour and enriched pasta and cornmeal at 0.15 mg folic acid per 100 g of flour and 0.20 mg folic acid per 100 g of pasta). In Canada, fortification became mandatory in November 1998. |
