Man-made ingredient set to be added to bread across UK in major food change from December

A synthetic form of vitamin B9 is to become a legal requirement in much of the UK's flour from next month, with the Government saying the move could prevent around 200 cases of serious birth defects every year.

A man-made vitamin is set to become a compulsory ingredient in much of the flour used to make bread and other everyday foods across the UK.

Folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, will have to be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour from December 13, 2026, under new regulations introduced by the Government.

The move is designed to increase people's intake of the essential vitamin and reduce the number of babies born with neural tube defects, including spina bifida.

The Government estimates the measure could prevent around 200 cases of neural tube defects every year, representing approximately 20 per cent of the UK total.

Folic acid is particularly important during the early stages of pregnancy because it helps a baby's brain and spinal cord develop properly.

However, many women do not take supplements before becoming pregnant, meaning they can miss out on the vitamin during a crucial stage of their baby's development.

The new rules will require millers and flour producers to add 250 micrograms of folic acid per 100g of non-wholemeal common wheat flour.

The legislation was announced in November 2024, giving the food industry two years to prepare for the changes.

White and brown non-wholemeal wheat flour will be affected, meaning the vitamin will also be present in many everyday products made using it, including bread.

It is worth noting that the requirement applies to flour rather than every loaf of bread individually.

The change builds on existing regulations which already require certain vitamins and minerals to be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour, including calcium, iron, niacin and thiamin.

However, not every type of flour will be affected.

Wholemeal flour, flour produced by qualifying small mills and certain specialist products are exempt from the new requirement.

The Government has also confirmed that added vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, must be identified in ingredients lists so consumers can see what is in the products they buy.

Why is folic acid being added?

Folic acid is the manufactured version of folate, a naturally occurring B vitamin found in foods such as leafy green vegetables.

It plays an important role in cell growth and the development of a baby's nervous system during pregnancy.

A lack of folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy can increase the risk of neural tube defects.

These include spina bifida, where the spine and spinal cord do not develop properly, and anencephaly, a serious condition affecting the development of the brain and skull.

The neural tube develops very early in pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is expecting.

This is one of the reasons health authorities have supported adding folic acid to a widely consumed food ingredient rather than relying entirely on people taking supplements.

The policy was recommended by the Government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition in 2006, following a review of the evidence.

The Food Standards Agency says mandatory fortification could reduce neural tube defect rates by around 20 per cent.

What about concerns over the change?

The decision has not been without opposition.

Some campaigners and members of the public have raised concerns about adding a manufactured vitamin to a widely consumed food ingredient without consumers actively choosing to take a supplement.

A petition opposing mandatory folic acid fortification has also attracted significant support, with concerns raised about people who may have particular health conditions or dietary requirements.

However, the Government says the policy follows years of scientific assessment and consultation.

Will women still need to take folic acid supplements?

Yes.

Despite the new rules, health authorities have stressed that adding folic acid to flour is not intended to replace the existing advice for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Women trying to conceive are still advised to take a 400-microgram folic acid supplement every day, ideally starting three months before pregnancy and continuing through at least the first 12 weeks.

The new fortification programme is intended to increase the population's baseline intake, particularly among women who may become pregnant without planning to do so.

With the December deadline approaching, the changes are expected to affect a wide range of everyday food products made using non-wholemeal wheat flour.