559. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the public consultation on the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid launched on 13 July 2026; including the number of submissions received to date; the date by which the Department expects to complete its assessment of those submissions; whether she intends to make a decision before the closure of the consultation on 5 October 2026; whether legislation will be required to implement mandatory fortification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66546/26]

560. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out the powers available to the State under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 concerning the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods to restrict or prohibit the placing on the market of a fortified food on public health grounds; and whether the Department has assessed or considered the application of any such powers in respect of fortified flour entering Ireland from the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66550/26]

563. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason the recommendation of the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification in 2006 was not implemented, including the specific scientific and clinical concerns identified at that time, and to provide details of the subsequent scientific evidence assessed by her Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in relation to the potential masking of vitamin B12 deficiency in older persons, cancer risk and any other identified adverse effects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66547/26]

566. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the powers available to the State under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 to restrict or prohibit the addition of vitamins or minerals to foods on public health grounds, including the circumstances in which such measures may be taken; whether her Department has assessed the application of those powers to fortified flour imported from the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66570/26]

569. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reasons the mandatory folic acid fortification policy recommended by the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification in 2006 was not implemented, including the scientific and policy concerns that subsequently arose regarding mandatory fortification; to provide details of the evidence since assessed concerning the potential masking of vitamin B12 deficiency in older persons and any potential association between folic acid exposure and cancer risk; and she will make a statement on the matter. [66567/26]

570. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the public consultation on the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid launched on 13 July 2026, including the number of submissions received to date; the expected timeline for consideration of those submissions and a decision following the closing date of 5 October 2026; whether her Department intends to bring forward legislation to provide for mandatory fortification; and she will make a statement on the matter. [66566/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 559, 560, 563, 566, 569 and 570 together.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66546/26, 66547/26, 66650/26, 66566/26, 66567/26 and 66570/26 together.

The public consultation on the proposed mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid commenced on 13 July 2026 and will remain open until 5 October 2026. It seeks the views of the public, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders and other interested parties. As of 16 September 2026, 1,927 responses had been received through the online consultation. This figure will be updated following closure of the consultation to include all valid responses and written submissions received.

Following the close of the consultation, my Department will assess all submissions and prepare a report on the findings. As the consultation remains open and the final number and complexity of submissions are not yet known, it is not possible at this stage to specify a completion date. No decision will be made on the introduction of mandatory fortification before the consultation has closed and the submissions have been fully considered.

In 2006, the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification recommended the mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. An Implementation Group subsequently examined the practical, scientific and regulatory issues involved. The proposal was not progressed at that time, having regard to developments in the food environment and emerging scientific evidence. These included a reduction in the incidence of neural tube defects, increased voluntary fortification and improved folate intake, together with concerns regarding the potential effects of excessive folic acid intake.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland subsequently reviewed the evidence in its 2016 update report on folic acid and the prevention of birth defects in Ireland. That review concluded that, at the fortification levels examined, the risk of masking vitamin B12 deficiency would be negligible and that the available evidence did not establish adverse health effects associated with the low levels of folic acid typically arising from food fortification. Subsequent evidence reviews also considered unmetabolized folic acid and potential effects on cognitive health. My Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland continue to monitor the evidence base.

Fortification of flour in Ireland is conducted on a voluntary basis. The voluntary addition of vitamins and minerals to foods is regulated by means of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, which aims to ensure that fortified foods are safe, and to allow for the proper functioning of the internal market. It specifies which vitamins and minerals may be added and provides mechanisms intended to protect consumers. This regulation permits the addition of folic acid to foods in compliance with its rules.

The mandatory addition of vitamins and minerals for public health reasons, such as the fortification of staple foods with folic acid, is not covered by this regulation. The European Commission does not envisage the harmonisation of the mandatory addition of nutrients, such as folic acid, across the EU. It is a function of Member States to decide if they wish to introduce alternative measures such as mandatory food fortification with folic acid.

My Department has considered the implications of the United Kingdom's decision to introduce folic acid fortification of non-wholemeal flour, particularly in light of Ireland's reliance on imported flour. Products containing fortified flour placed on the Irish market must comply with all applicable food safety, compositional and labelling requirements. At present, the Department has not identified grounds under the current legislative framework to restrict flour fortified with folic acid in accordance with applicable legal requirements solely because folic acid has been added.

Should the Government decide to introduce mandatory fortification in Ireland, national legislation would be required. The nature and scope of any measure would be determined following completion of the consultation and the associated policy, scientific, legal and regulatory assessment. Any future policy position will be evidence-based and informed by the consultation findings, public health considerations and engagement with relevant stakeholders and expert bodies.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

561. Reply not received from Department.