Institute of Medicine: Recommendation Background: In 1998, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that to reduce their risk for an NTD-affected pregnancy, women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid daily, from fortified foods or supplements or a combination of the two, in addition to consuming food folate from a varied diet.
U.S. Public Health Service: Recommendation Background: In September 1992, the U.S. Public Health Service recommended that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms (ug) of folic acid daily to reduce their risk of having a pregnancy affected with spina bifida or other neural tube defects.
Folic Acid Fortification
Food and Drug Administration Background: In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration began requiring the fortification of enriched cereal grain products with folic acid at the level of 140 µg/100 grams of grain (fortification was optional during March 1996--December 1997). This level of fortification was chosen to assist women of reproductive age in increasing their folic acid consumption by an average of 100 µg of folic acid daily.
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Folic acid is a B vitamin that prevents certain birth defects and may reduce your risk for heart disease and certain cancers.
Make sure you get enough folic acid every day through a multivitamin or folic acid pill and eat healthy.
Virginia Folic Acid Campaign
Tahnee Causey, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor
109 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
