Mandatory folic acid and iodine fortification of bread resulted in increased levels of folic acid and iodine in the food supply, increased folic acid and iodine intakes, a decreased rate of neural tube defects in Australia, and improved iodine status in the general populations in Australia and New Zealand.
- Cat. no: WEB 134
Key findings
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Neural tube defects fell by 14% following mandatory folic acid fortification of bread in Australia
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Neural tube defects in Indigenous women fell by 74% following mandatory folic acid fortification of bread in Australia
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Iodine intakes in women aged 16–44 increased by 52% following mandatory iodine fortification of bread in Australia
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Iodine intakes in children aged 2–3 increased by 29% following mandatory iodine fortification of bread in Australia