Short
Arnold
Lara MGovernment Wants To Add Folic Acid To Bread
April 14th 2007 06:44
Quite a lot of controversy surrounds the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (Run by the government) move towards implementing compulsory folic acid increase in Australian made bread. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand suggests that this addition would greatly reduce the incidence of spina bifida in children as folic acid consumed by pregnant women can prevent this disease.
However, the bread industry immediately recoiled at this suggestion, stating that it was not responsibility of the industry but rather that of the consumer. Here we see, yet again, the age old argument. The large and powerful cooperation does not want to overextend towards the community, while consumers are supposed to take into account a wealth of nutritional knowledge, up to date research and comparative analysis when shopping.
Furthermore, the large companies George Weston Foods and Goodman Fielder leading the opposition suggest that the $11 million dollar cost of implementation would be better spent on a folic acid education advertising campaign. Which basically says to me that they would rather the government spend $11 million than themselves. I can’t imagine that an advertising campaign (which could potentially be a lot more expensive than that) would reach and influence more people than simply adding folic acid to bread.
The slightly consoling aspect of this debate is that several scientists have lent their support to the industry protest, based on several more credible arguments. In a later article, these were reported as possible health risks to non-targeted groups and the fact that the folic acid provided should still be supplemented with pills for pregnant women.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand has the support of the Australian Medical Association, while the bread industry is backed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
Reference:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
However, the bread industry immediately recoiled at this suggestion, stating that it was not responsibility of the industry but rather that of the consumer. Here we see, yet again, the age old argument. The large and powerful cooperation does not want to overextend towards the community, while consumers are supposed to take into account a wealth of nutritional knowledge, up to date research and comparative analysis when shopping.
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/678016
Furthermore, the large companies George Weston Foods and Goodman Fielder leading the opposition suggest that the $11 million dollar cost of implementation would be better spent on a folic acid education advertising campaign. Which basically says to me that they would rather the government spend $11 million than themselves. I can’t imagine that an advertising campaign (which could potentially be a lot more expensive than that) would reach and influence more people than simply adding folic acid to bread.
The slightly consoling aspect of this debate is that several scientists have lent their support to the industry protest, based on several more credible arguments. In a later article, these were reported as possible health risks to non-targeted groups and the fact that the folic acid provided should still be supplemented with pills for pregnant women.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand has the support of the Australian Medical Association, while the bread industry is backed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
Reference:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
| 51 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
