NZORDThursday 30 August 2012, 4:31PM
Media release from NZORD
NZORD - the New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders
Up to 20 babies every year will die or be seriously disabled by
neural tube defects (NTDs) in New Zealand, thanks to the
Government's decision today to keep the fortification of bread
voluntary, John Forman, Executive Director of the New Zealand
Organisation for Rare Disorders (NZORD) stated today.
Food Safety Minister, Kate Wilkinson, has announced that the scheme
will remain voluntary, despite a low level of involvement from
industry since the Government postponed the food standard in
2009.
"I'm disappointed and dismayed at today's decision to keep the
fortification of bread with folic acid voluntary, says Mr
Forman.
"Industry have had three years to demonstrate their commitment to
introducing folic acid (Vitamin B9) into their products and have
failed to get behind the scheme, despite overwhelming scientific
evidence that fortification of a staple food with folic acid
significantly reduces the risk of giving birth to babies with
NTDs."
The Minister has stated that the Ministry of Primary Industries
will continue to work with the bread industry to achieve a
fortification rate of up to 50 percent of packaged bread and to
help them develop a voluntary code of practice.
"In the last three years, industry has only introduced
fortification in 12.5% of their products and has failed to deliver
a promised public awareness campaign. Their commitment has been
lacking and I have little faith that they will raise their game
now."
The Minister's decision is a missed opportunity to take decisive
action on this important public health issue and mandate a simple
and effective way of reducing risk for women and their babies," Mr
Forman says.
Contact for enquiries, John Forman 027 240 3377
Regards, john
John Forman
Executive Director, NZORD
New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders
PO Box 38-538, Wellington Mail Centre, 5045
228 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon, Wellington, 6011
New Zealand
Ph +64 4 471 2226
Mob +64 27 240 3377
Email: exec.director@nzord.org.nz
Website: www.nzord.org.nz