Folic Acid

[Daisy]

I've long been suspicious of ingredients/chemicals added to industrially produced foods, or chemicals sprayed on to crops etc. This is just the latest, which I wasn't aware of until today.

It is now compulsory for flour manufacturers producing more than a given amount of flour a year to add Folic Acid to their products. The reason given is that it protects unborn babies from neural tube development problems (eg spina bifida). However, I also read that Folic Acid can interfere with some chemotherapy treatments and isn't recommended for certain cancer patients. Opinions seem to be divided about whether, or if, this vitamin might interact with certain chemo drugs, and if so, how much is "safe".

I was shocked to discover that folic acid is added to white bread flour, even if it is marketed as "organic". However, it's not added to wholemeal flour, organic or not.

I imagine (hope!) the quantities added to white flour are too small to be of significance, but I was concerned that this additive has been slipped into our food quietly without most people's knowledge. I'm probably neurotic!!

[WeeGranny]

Daisy, I think this has been happening to bread for quite some time now. Hadn’t realised it was also being added to flour though.
I remember taking folic acid tablets when I was pregnant with my DD.

[Daisy]

WeeGranny, I was shocked to learn that additives can be added to very basic foods such as flour without any obvious public information beforehand. I know ingredients are listed on the packaging, but it's not something you check each time you buy a basic like flour.

Taking folate/folic acid has reduced the number of babies born with neural tube problems, thank goodness (my sister was born with spina bifida and only lived for 3 months).

[Daisy]

I've read up on this a bit more, and it seems that folic acid is added to many foods and, unlike folate, can mask a B12 vitamin deficiency, which is potentially dangerous.

[Nanto2girls]

I didn't know folic acid is added to flour. I know its recommended during pregnancy.

[Daisy]

Nanto, I was particularly shocked to see it's added to organic white bread flour.

[Oma]

I think there is a lot added to our food without us knowing about it ,
B was actually prescribed folic acid by the oncologist when he was having Chemo over 5 years with 5 different Chemos.

It must depend on what treatment ,
If your worried ask your oncologist just to be on the safe side .

I tend to read some ingredients when shopping especially if it said new recipe,
As believe it or not some baked beans have fish sauce in them .
Being allergic I have to be careful.
I mean who would think baked beans would have fish sauce added ?
Sounds revolting but must enhance the flavour,
Probably cheap beans but never the less I still check .

To be honest I have never thought of checking the ingredients in flour ,
You just assume it's plain old flour don't you.

[Daisy]

Oma, yes, we tend to assume some things are just what they sound like, and flour's a good example, especially when it's supposed to be organic, but actually has non-organic ingredients added.

There's no problem with the medication I'm on, but sometimes you don't even know to ask the question. I stopped taking the small amount of vitamins etc when I started this treatment, because you never know.

Isn't fish sauce used in some beef recipes? I know that sounds odd, but I think I've read it somewhere. I don't blame you for avoiding the fishy baked beans. I've just looked up fish sauce. It says it's widely used in East and Southeast Asia to add the umami flavour and enrich the taste of the dish. It's stronger, saltier and more pungent than soy sauce.

[Gemini]

I hate the thought of things being added to our food 'for our own good'.
I remember years ago the talk about adding fluoride to water supplies , which I was very much against.

[Daisy]

I was against it, too, Gem.

I also can't understand why non-organic ingredients can be added to organic products and the product can still be labelled as "organic"!