Folate decision next month

Folate decision next month

Australia and NZ Health Ministers have failed to reach a decision on a controversial plan to put folic acid in bread in a bid to stem spinal defects.

A meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council discussed the proposal in Brisbane on May 4  but deferred a decision until June.

Bakers and some nutritionists are fighting the mandatory fortification plan being led by the transtasman regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

The scheme would require the vitamin to be added to all bread-making flour to reduce spina bifida and other crippling defects in babies.

Supporters say it is the most effective way to address the serious medical problem but opponents argue such "mass-medicating" is uneconomical and unnecessary.

The FSANZ board is meeting on Monday to consider a report into the review of the issue.

A statement from the council said: "Ministers agreed to meet by mid-June 2007 to consider FSANZ's recommendations resulting from the review and make a final decision."