health
How to reduce the risk of congenital neural defects in babies
Insufficient intake of folic acid and iron among women of reproductive age in Serbia leads to an increased risk of congenital neural defects in newborns, such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus, as well as chronic anemia in the general population. Although health regulations have partially recognized the importance of prevention and adopted amendments to the Food Safety Law in 2019, which open up the possibility of adopting by-laws on fortification, Serbia still does not implement mandatory fortification of basic food products, such as flour, with vitamin B9 and iron.
TL;DR
- Low intake of folic acid and iron in Serbian women of reproductive age increases the risk of neural tube defects and anemia.
- Serbia has not yet implemented mandatory fortification of basic food products like flour with folic acid and iron, despite legal possibilities.
- The 'Hisbas' association is advocating for mandatory flour fortification with folic acid to prevent neural defects in newborns, following EU standards.
- Flour fortification is recognized as an effective and cost-efficient public health intervention by the WHO and European Commission.
- Globally, 76 countries have introduced mandatory food fortification, often including iron and/or folic acid in flour.
- In Europe, mandatory flour fortification with folic acid and iron exists in the UK, Moldova, and Kosovo; it's voluntary in Hungary, Ireland, and Poland; and piloted in Albania and Romania.
- Mandatory fortification is considered more effective than voluntary measures or supplementation recommendations, especially as many pregnancies are unplanned.
- Implementing mandatory flour fortification is presented as a concrete step towards improving public health and ensuring healthier beginnings for future generations.