Make folic acid fortification voluntary

AI summary

The petitioners say that since 1998 Health Canada has required synthetic folic acid to be added to white flour, enriched pasta and cornmeal, leaving no reliable way to purchase those staples unfortified. They raise concerns about MTHFR gene variants, elevated unmetabolised folic acid (which they describe as an active area of research), and that high folate intake can mask vitamin B12 deficiency; they also note that many EU countries do not mandate fortification. The petition asks the government to amend the Food and Drug Regulations to make fortification voluntary and to require clear front‑of‑package labelling distinguishing fortified from unfortified products; no government response is included in the petition.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled Since 1998, Health Canada has required synthetic folic acid to be added to all white flour, enriched pasta, and cornmeal, leaving Canadians no way to purchase these staples in an unfortified form; A significant share of Canadians carry MTHFR gene variants that reduce the body's ability to convert synthetic folic acid into its bioactive form, and elevated unmetabolised folic acid in circulation remains an active area of scientific investigation; High folate intake can mask the haematological signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, delaying diagnosis in older adults, people on plant-based diets, and those with absorption disorders; Most European Union countries, including Denmark after formal review, do not mandate folic acid fortification, instead relying on voluntary fortification and targeted supplementation for those planning pregnancy; and Canadians who wish to avoid synthetic folic acid have no reliable means to do so, and current labelling does not distinguish fortified from unfortified products at point of purchase. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Food and Drug Regulations to make the fortification of white flour, enriched pasta, cornmeal, and other regulated grain products voluntary rather than mandatory, and to require clear front-of-package labelling distinguishing fortified from unfortified products, enabling Canadians to make informed dietary choices.

Government response

No government response is available yet.