Birth defects up after fall in folic-acid fortified food

A fall-off in foods fortified with folic acid has been linked with an increase in severe birth defects.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland found the number and type of foods fortified with folic acid, as well as the amount added, had fluctuated in recent years.

The FSAI also found the incident rate of neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida and anencephaly, rose from 0.92 per 1,000 births in 2009 to 1.17 per 1,000 in 2011.