Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD has todaylaunched an online public consultationseeking the views and opinions of the public and of industry on the mandatory fortification of non wholemeal flour with folic acid, to help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in Ireland. Neural tube defects include conditions such as spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele and iniencephaly.

Neural tube defects can occur when the spinal cord does not develop properly during early pregnancy. Ireland has a higher-than-average rate of occurrence of neural tube defects compared with the rest of Europe. Research has shown that sufficient folic acid intake may help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects.

This public consultation provides an important opportunity for members of the public, to provide their views on the proposed fortification of non wholemeal flour with folic acid to help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in Ireland. We are also interested in the views of ‘food industry’ and related business operators to know how flour fortification with folic acid may affect their activities, along with input on any measures that could help businesses adapt to the new fortification requirements.

Submissions received through this process will be considered and may be used to inform future policy and legislation regarding mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.

Minister Murnane O’Connor said:

“Neural tube defects can have a profound impact on patients, their families and the health service. People living with neural tube defects often face significant challenges in terms of impacts on health and disability, social inclusion and quality of life.

“Research has shown that up to two thirds of neural tube defects can be prevented by consuming folic acid before and during the early stages of pregnancy. Women typically cannot get enough folic acid through diet alone, so fortified foods and folic acid supplements are needed to help reach the required levels.

“We hope to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in Ireland in the future by increasing dietary intake of foods which have been fortified with folic acid, and by encouraging folic acid supplementation.

“I would like to encourage individuals and businesses to contribute their insights by making a submission on the Public Consultation: Mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid."

This call for submissions will remain open for 12 weeks, closing at 17:00 on 05 October 2026. Further information on the submission process is available here.