On 12 July 2017 the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) published a review of the evidence that has emerged on Folic Acid since the previous reports which were published in 2006 and 2009. SACN continue to recommend mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid, along with the controls on voluntary fortification.

The FSA has previously recommended the mandatory fortification of bread or flour with folic acid in order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in foetuses.  In 2007, the FSA Board confirmed it agreed with SACN's 2006 recommendations. In reaching its decision, as well as considering SACN’s report, the Board also considered the risks and benefits to both specific groups of the population as well as the whole population, the public consultation on a range of options, consumer research on the options, the ethnics of adding folic acid to a food, and the impact that mandatory fortification has had in other countries.