Folate is a water-soluble B group vitamin that needs to be consumed regularly, as it is not stored in the body. Folate takes its name from the Latin word for 'foliage' as high concentrations of this vitamin are found naturally in leafy green vegetables. Folate can also be found in liver, kidney, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, oranges, avocados, nuts, legumes, wholegrain breads and cereals Folic acid is the form of folate used to fortify foods such breads and breakfast cereals.
Folate is important for healthy development of your unborn baby
Folate Benefits
Brain & Nervous System
Folate is essential for the development of the brain, spinal cord and skeleton in unborn babies.
Cells
Folate is important for growth and division of new body cells, including red blood cells.
Research has shown that women who increased folate consumption in at least the month before and 3 months following conception may reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida (which is failure of the spinal column to close) in babies. The recommended dietary intake (RDI) for folate for the average adult is 200µg. It is recommended that women of child bearing age consume a minimum of 400µg per day in at least the month before and at least the first 3 months following conception.
Folic Acid Fortification
As of September 13 2009 all wheat flour (used for making bread) in Australia will be required to contain no less than 2 mg/kg and no more than 3 mg/kg of folic acid.
Food regulator, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), is introducing mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat flour (used for making bread) to increase the folic acid intake of women planning to or who may become pregnant – to help protect the developing foetus against neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida.
This means all bread in Australia that is made from, or contains wheat flour (across supermarkets and bakeries) will contain folic acid.
