Authorities promote folic acid supplementation for women of childbearing age
UK
Dec 02, 2024
The Department of Health & Social Care is calling on health professionals; medical directors, directors of nursing and directors of midwifery in the UK to continue to promote the importance of folic acid supplementation directly to women of childbearing age through existing communication channels, including face-to-face interactions.
In September 2021, the 4 UK governments announced the intention to mandate the fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid on a UK-wide basis to reduce the number of neural tube defects (NTDs) in foetuses.
Legislation was laid in England on 14 November 2024 (the Bread and Flour (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2024), with equivalent legislation to be laid shortly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Industry has a 24-month transition period to fully implement the changes, by December 2026.
Currently, guidelines recommend that women who could become pregnant take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid before conception and up until the 12th week of pregnancy to reduce the risk of NTD-affected pregnancies. This advice will continue following the fortification of flour with folic acid. Fortification of flour with folic acid is intended as a population measure to support, not replace, current supplementation advice for individuals.
For further information (in English), click on the Link
ANVISA updates guide to supplement questions and answers
Brazil
Jan 16, 2025
Updated national best practice recommendations on diet, physical activity and sleep
Estonia
Jan 15, 2025
COT issues statement on potential risk of turmeric and curcumin supplements
UK
Dec 23, 2024
Government repeals Therapeutic Products Law and promotes dietary supplements
New Zealand
Dec 23, 2024
Commission establishes the European Agriculture and Food Council
European Union
Dec 20, 2024
FDA confirms ban on use of Amanita muscaria extracts and components as ingredients in foods
USA
Dec 20, 2024
ASA rules on products to regulate satiety and weight management
UK
Dec 16, 2024
Scientific report of the Advisory Committee for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines published
USA
Dec 13, 2024
Government and private sector to join efforts against counterfeit dietary supplements
Brazil
Dec 06, 2024
Bill C-368 seeks to protect natural health products makes progress
Canada
Dec 05, 2024
India/USA/EU - Impact of Dietary Supplements in Alleviating Human Lifestyle and their Regulatory Aspects
India
Dec 04, 2024
ARCSA Publishes Proposed Institutional Regulatory Plan 2025
Ecuador
Dec 04, 2024
Micronutrient levels in fortified foods updated
Denmark
Dec 03, 2024
ANVISA amends regulation on dietary supplements
Brazil
Dec 02, 2024
New national nutritional recommendations published
Finland
Nov 29, 2024
