On September 18th, all New Zealand bread was going to have folic acid added to it. However, now the government has decided to wait three years.

New Zealand and Australia have an agreement about food standards. Australia is going to add folic acid to all bread in September so New Zealand planned to do the same. Many people do not like the idea of adding something to their food and they have protested about this. They say too much folic acid could cause health problems.

Folic acid is Vitamin B9. It is necessary for cell growth, especially at a time of very fast cell growth like early pregnancy. Women need folic acid just before they get pregnant and soon after, to prevent birth defects in babies like spina bifida where the spine does not form properly. Men who are planning to father children, also need folic acid.

Folic acid is present in many foods like spinach, beans and peas and some fruit. It is also present in wheat but wheat loses this natural folic acid when it becomes flour. This is why many countries add it to flour.

Canada says that there has been a 46% drop in birth defects such as spina bifida, cancer and heart problems since folic acid was added to bread.

The Bakers Association says that they will now add folic acid to some bread, including the cheapest bread, so that people have a choice.