IF reviews current research and provides a selection of useful links.

Useful literature:

 WHO Recommendations on wheat and maize flour fortification. Meeting Report: Interim Consensus Statement. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2009

 International retrospective cohort study of neural tube defects in relation to Folic Acid recommendations: are the recommendations working? Lorenzo D Botto, et al. BMJ  2005;330:571 (12 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.38336.664352.82

Rapid Responses to publication "International retrospective cohort study of neural tube defects in relation to Folic Acid recommendations: are the recommendations working?"

Encouraging the use of Folic Acid is not enough. BMJ  2005;330 (12 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7491.0-c

Preventing neural tube defects in Europe: population based study. Araceli Busby, Lenore Abramsky, Helen Dolk, Ben Armstrong, BMJ  2005;330:574-575 (12 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7491.574

 Folate Deficiency is an "Imminent Health Hazard" causing a Worldwide Birth Defects Epidemic. Godfrey P. Oakley, Jr., September 2003

 Folate Deficiency is an "Imminent Health Hazard" causing a Worldwide Birth Defects Epidemic. Mark Luckok. MBJ 2004.

Periconceptional Folic Acid and Food Fortification in the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects. Scientific Advisory Committee.

  Changes in serum folate concentrations following voluntary food fortification in Australia. Jack Metz, Ken A Sikaris, Ellen L Maxwell and Mark D Levin. The Medical Journal of Australia 21 January 2002 176 2: 90-91

Useful links:

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS): Fact Sheet Folate

Flour Fortification Initiative: world-wide network of representatives from public, private and civic organizations who collaborate to make micronutrient fortification of flour standard practice.

American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/

National (American) Folic Acid Council - http://www.folicacidinfo.org/
 
Eurocat: European network of population-based registries for the epidemiologic surveillance of congenital anomalies
 
EuroFIR: European Food Information Resource Network: European Network of Excellence on Food Composition Databank systems consisting of a partnership between universities, research institutes and small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
 
EURRECA: EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned: Network of Excellence working on the harmonisation of micronutrient recommendations across Europe with special focus on vulnerable groups and consumer understanding  ( EURRECA Poster)
 
French Folic Acid website - www.vitamineb9.be