A recent study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge, has sounded the alarm regarding declining folate levels in the United Kingdom (UK). This decline, especially concerning females of reproductive age, has raised concerns and underscores the need for swift action.
The research study delves into pre-fortification folate trends in the UK, spanning from 2008 to 2019, drawing on data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
The data reveals a disconcerting decline in folate status within the UK population during the studied period. Alarmingly, the impact of this decline is being felt, with a prevalence of 12.4 cases per 10,000 pregnancies affected by non-genetic neural tube defects (NTDs) between 2008 and 2020 in England and Wales. Fortunately, enhancing folate intake through supplements or fortified foods has proven effective in mitigating these risks. Notably, fortifying flour has demonstrated efficacy and economic feasibility.
While 69 countries globally mandated folic acid fortification by 2022, only Kosovo and Moldova in Europe had done so by May 2023. The UK, which presently permits voluntary fortification, is actively planning to mandate folic acid in non-wholemeal wheat flour, with implementation expected around 2024.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (NDNS RP) takes center stage as a vital governmental initiative in the UK, gathering comprehensive data on dietary intakes and nutritional status across diverse demographics. This annual survey engages around 1,000 participants, including both adults and children from various regions within the UK. A significant subset of these participants also contributes blood samples for in-depth biomarker analyses.
