This week, the UK has confirmed it plans to fortify non-wholemeal flour with folic acid. It’s not the first country to do so: the United States has been fortifying flour with folic acid since 1998. Most countries in South America and a number in Asia also have mandatory fortification programs. This graphic looks at the reasons for fortification with folic acid – and making it also got me wondering why the practice isn’t more widespread in Europe.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Folic-acid-and-pregnancy-2023.png?resize=370%2C208&ssl=1)