Folic Acid Food Fortification—Its History, Effect, Concerns, and Future Directions

Nutrients

Krista S. Crider¹  Lynn B. Bailey² 

[1]The Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA

[2]The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

关键词: folic acid;    flour fortification;    neural tube defects;    cancer;    epigenetics;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu3030370

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Periconceptional intake of folic acid is known to reduce a woman’s risk of having an infant affected by a neural tube birth defect (NTD). National programs to mandate fortification of food with folic acid have reduced the prevalence of NTDs worldwide. Uncertainty surrounding possible unintended consequences has led to concerns about higher folic acid intake and food fortification programs. This uncertainty emphasizes the need to continually monitor fortification programs for accurate measures of their effect and the ability to address concerns as they arise. This review highlights the history, effect, concerns, and future directions of folic acid food fortification programs.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.