In 2021 the NHS guidance on folic acid included this:

In 2026 the NHS website includes this wording about who can take folic acid:

From December 2026, U.K. flour will have [synthetic folate] folic acid added by law:
www.legislation.gov.uk
Some medical professionals are concerned about this move:
Some technical explanation as to why folic acid differs from natural dietary folate:
A U.K. parliamentary petition to sign if you feel that compulsory dosing of all flour is not what you want our legislators to do:
petition.parliament.uk

In 2026 the NHS website includes this wording about who can take folic acid:

From December 2026, U.K. flour will have [synthetic folate] folic acid added by law:
The Bread and Flour (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2024
These Regulations amend the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/141) (“the 1998 Regulations”).
Some medical professionals are concerned about this move:
Some technical explanation as to why folic acid differs from natural dietary folate:
Fauxlate — Folic acid is not folate
Synthetic folic acid is not the same as natural folate. From December 2026 the UK will mandate it in non-wholemeal flour. The evidence deserves a closer look.
fauxlate.org
A U.K. parliamentary petition to sign if you feel that compulsory dosing of all flour is not what you want our legislators to do:
Petition: End the mandatory fortification of white flour with folic acid immediately
We call on the Government to stop the fortification of flour with synthetic folic acid. Folic acid is a medicine not a food. We believe it is unethical to mass medicate the entire population without their knowledge or consent in the hope that a minority group of people might see a benefit.

