Para todos ainda por cima, no fermento:
https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/case-folic-acid-be-added-flour-overwhelming-argues-review/
A falta de indicação do financiamento do estudo (e de declarações de interesse) é preocupante quando se propõem a alterar o que todos vamos comer?
Citando:
"What is the case for mandatory folic acid fortification?
As of October 2017, 81 countries had introduced mandatory fortification of flour. This includes the US, Canada and Australia, but so far no countries in the EU. The authors suggest this is because some expert committees undervalue the benefits of folic acid. The European Commission Scientific Committee on Food reportedly consider low folate as a "risk factor" rather than an "important cause" of neural tube defects.
There is also a widely held view that public health involves encouraging personal choice – such as through taking supplements – rather than making choices for everyone.
The authors say that fortification would not give full protection but would be "a population safety net" for women who haven't taken supplements before pregnancy. They give examples of legislation – such as smoking bans and car seatbelts – to reduce harm even if they impinge on personal freedom.
They mention how flour is already fortified with iron, calcium and other B vitamins like thiamine and niacin. They also say how folic acid would have wider benefits than just preventing neural tube defects, including reducing anaemia due to folate deficiency in older adults.(...)"
(...)
"The authors present a compelling case for folic acid fortification in flour to prevent neural tube defects.
The main drawback of this review is the lack of information on the research methods. It cannot therefore be considered to be a systematic review (...). As such this review has to be considered largely the interpretation and opinion of the authors."
