Folic Acid in Bread

Mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid (in Australia) and iodine (in Australia and New Zealand) was introduced in 2009 to address two important public health issues: to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects  (serious birth defects such as spina bifida) in Australia and to deal with the re-emergence of iodine deficiency in both Australia and New Zealand.

The introduction of the mandatory fortification has resulted in improved health outcomes, particularly for teenagers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Monitoring the health impacts of mandatory folic acid and iodine fortification 2016. AIHW