Below is the Soil & Health NZ submission to FSANZ’ Proposal for Mandatory Fortification of Iodine in bread.
Bar influence by Food Safety Minister Annette King at the October 25 Ministerial Council meeting, folic acid which has already been recommended by FSANZ, will be likely joined by iodine to be included in NZ bread including organic bread.
Annette King can either press her Australian equivalents, state and federal, to call for a review of the FSANZ decision to allow, for example, an exemption for organics from any mandatory fortification, or the Minister can take New Zealand down a different path than the Australians as happened with Country of Origin Labelling. The Minister has the power. Or of course Australian ministers can call for an organic exemption.
Mandatory fortification of any NZ foods has not occured before. All fortification has been voluntary, including the high uptake of iodised salt in the past. This is a serious intrusion into free choice of all consumers and the integrity of NZ organics.
We have been given support by MPs from two parties so far and given opportunity it would be useful to put our concerns to any MPs that you come in contact with, particularly those close to the Labour Government. This is not new legislation it is over to the Minister.
Remember FREE CHOICE and an ORGANIC EXEMPTION.
Thanks
Steffan
Spokes
person
———
Submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Re: PROPOSAL FOR MANDATORY FORTIFICATION WITH IODINE (Proposal P230)
The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc is 65 years old, and is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and as such advocates for a healthy natural diet derived from food produced organically and free from additives.
In the event of mandatory fortification of either or both, iodine and folic acid, Soil & Health recommends an exemption for organic foods.
Soil & Health is conscious of the need for good nutritional education and supports strategies that explain the necessity and sources of iodine in diet, and those factors which suppress adequate iodine uptake.
Soil & Health is concerned that other components such as some soy products and fluoride in the contemporary diet may be factors in the rise in iodine deficiency. Organic consumers prefer a solution to the cause, rather than focus on treatment of symptoms.
In the event of need for supplementation, natural products as ingredients are preferred.
Seaweeds are used by some organic consumers with an awareness of the added need for minerals such as iodine, and certified organic kelp – seaweed products exist with that market in mind.
Acknowledging the high level of nutritional and health awareness of organic consumers, in the event of an exemption for organic foods from fortification, monitoring will show any need for increased education or recommendations to that consumer sector.
Fortification with any synthetic additive is contrary to the ideals of the consumer base of Soil & Health’s membership, and mandatory fortification will reduce choice for those wanting to avoid additives.
That said, many pregnant and breastfeeding women in Australia and New Zealand, in the absence of adequate iodine intake or subject to goitrogenic factors, may require daily iodine supplements.
FSANZ states in the draft assessment report that fortification will not be enough to address iodine status shortfalls.
Soil & Health agrees that an education program through the health system, including information on iodine sources and inhibitors is required, with optional supplementation a possibility.
This does not necessitate mass medication and in that event, broader consumer choice than unleavened bread and a few cereals is appropriate. Considering typical diets, the unfortified choices suggested in the Proposal assessment report are not really choice at all.
Soil & Health is aware of small domestic market focused bakeries that would have difficulty complying with the proposed standard for mandatory fortification with iodine. Those bakeries, and also access to markets requiring no added iodine, need to be allowed for in the interests of fair trade. Regulation as recommended so far disadvantages small commercial operations. An exemption for organic foods would reduce the level of commercial disadvantage.
Organic production and processing is based on minimum alteration or addition to food composition. Organic processing standards restrict additives in bread. BioGro for example would have to change its standard to something less than consumer expectations if mandatory fortification was introduced.
The current voluntary fortification regime allows consumer choice and fair trade as long as clear labelling is present.
FSANZ’ Proposal states, ‘Food labeling or promotional claims must be factually correct and not misleading or deceptive under the fair trading legislation of Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ intends to discuss the use of descriptors such as ‘natural food’, and ‘organic foods’ with the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Commerce Commission, to clarify the status of foods using iodised salt with regards to fair trading”
An appropriate descriptor or definition of ‘organic’ produce or goods is likely and appropriately that which has been produced according to either a ‘National’ organic standard, or is organically certified. The 12 month transition period for implementation allows more than sufficient time for that mechanism to be established.
At least three organic certification organisations in New Zealand:
1. Organic Farm NZ Incorporated
2. BioGro Producers and Consumers Council owners of BioGro NZ Certification and BioGro Domestic Organic Certification
3. The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Demeter certifier in New Zealand, do not agree with mandatory fortification of organic food and in principle agree with an exemption for organic food.
The Soil & Health motto is Healthy Soil , Healthy Food , Healthy People.
Below a paragraph that expresses the principle as presented by one of our prolific members.
“Under genuine organic management the inherent expectation and principle is that the produce grown takes up and produces enough iodine and folic acid to satisfy a person’s need when consuming a balanced organic diet.
While this is not yet necessarily always the case it is the aim of the organic production system to produce ‘whole foods’ in the true sense of the word. We are better off exploring what is required to get acceptable levels in our food crops again and pay the true and fair price for producing quality food.
Giving in to external pressure to fortify foods takes away the only natural option to explore what is required to grow ‘quality’ food and gives producers and wholesalers a cheap and easy way out. It encourages a commodity/quantitative approach (factory farming vs organic farming) and prevents a focus on quality food production. A regulation that encourages fortification encourages poor food production systems!
An exemption would allow the organic producers to continue exploring genetic material and growing methods that deliver ‘genuine’ organic whole foods and will also give consumers a choice”.
Summary
* The Soil and Health Association of New Zealand does not support Mandatory Iodine Fortification.
* Soil & Health supports public education of the need for iodine, sources of iodine and factors that inhibit the uptake of iodine.
* Soil & Health supports informed and fair consumer choice.
* In the event of FSANZ choosing to pursue a Mandatory Fortification regime, Soil & Health requests that an exemption be made for Certified Organic producers and processors.
* Soil & Health and other organic organisations in New Zealand and Australia wish to explore with FSANZ, options for an organic foods exemption from mandatory fortification.
Let Us Spray
/in Food, Health, Media Releases, Organic CommunityAs further exposed in Monday’s TV3 Let Us Spray documentary, the clear links between 2-4 5 T and 2-4-D manufacture and use, and spina bifida and other tragic deformities, show a need for a quick conversion by mainstream agriculture to organic production.
Tomorrow Food Safety Minister Annette King considers, with her Australian counterparts, another chemical approach to a minimal solution for spina bifidas often resulting from widespread toxins in food and environment and New Zealand’s deteriorating nutritional health status.
For many decades a persistent head in the sand approach to the chemical tools of the day has been taken, and those standing up for the environment and health have been ridiculed.
Soil & Health can recall Dows PR magazine, with then Prime Minister Keith Holyoake parading through Dow Chemicals New Plymouth factory extolling its virtues. Elsewhere in the magazine was a parody of Silent Spring author Rachel Carson.
Rachel Carson, an early advocate against agrichemical use and its effects on the environment was ridiculed at the time, but her particular focus and that of Dows, DDT, was soon to be proven as a persistent deadly pollutant.
“Now with dioxin laced 2-4-5-T and 2-4D clearly identified as a mutagen, other chemicals such as the fungicide benlate, also identified as a mutagen, should be withdrawn from use and cover ups surrounding adverse effects need to stop”, said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.
Embracing a vision of truly sustainable primary production and more natural health care solutions will reduce such tragedies as experienced throughout New Zealand through the use of 2-4-5-T, 2-4D, DDT, benlate and other current agrichemicals.
Soil & Health calls for urgent assistance for primary producers to find alternatives to the widespread use of agrichemicals. Current agrichemicals include many with known mutagenic, endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic properties.
“This is not sustainable when the health effects, often carried by future generations, are taken into account. Nor is it sustainable as our markets look for cleaner and cleaner products”, said Steffan Browning
The Soil & Health Association sees a cruel link between intended mass medication of 4 million people with folic acid (synthetic folate) to reduce the effects of only 8 spina bifida pregnancies and the plight of those others exposed to dioxin contaminated herbicides.
Synthetic folic acid is intended to be added to all bread as a partial remedy to New Zealand’s Neural Tube Defect (NTD) plight. NTDs mostly present as spina bifida as shown on TV3’s documentary.
Spina bifida occurrence is greatly reduced by adequate folate levels around conception and early pregnancy.
The use of the chemical folic acid as an alternative to good diet with good natural folate levels is a poor sop to the advocates for spina bifida sufferers who have for many years called for Government intervention to the spina bifida scourge.
Rather than educate of the risks of agrichemical exposure and how to get spina bifida limiting natural folate, through a good diet, the market sensitive producers, agrichemical suppliers and Government have decided on a keep it quiet approach and instead the whole population is to be consuming another synthetic compound, folic acid.
This government, that has been complicit with cover-ups of the link between the widespread use of toxins in Godzone and human health, is now considering mass medication with synthetic folic acid, as some form of sop to those affected by previous widespread agrichemical use.
An average of only 8 out of ~70 NTD pregnancies will benefit from the mass medication of 4 million, and yet an educational program in Western Australia that included nutritional information and voluntary supplements achieved a 30% reduction in NTDs.
A program similar to that tried in Western Australia would mean 21 NTD pregnancies benefiting here in New Zealand, and would have widespread other health benefits, as such a program could also cover broader nutritional issues, and allow personal responsibility and consumer choice.
Synthetic folic acid is not likely to be on the same health scale as dioxin contaminated herbicides, yet, as with the supposed benefit and repeated assurances of safety of those earlier herbicides, a mass medication is now intended without even the more obvious health uncertainties of high folic acid intakes being deeply explored.
This economic decision to only benefit 8 pregnancies, while protecting bad industrial and agricultural practice and in turn using mass medication with synthetics, shows a more of the same approach. A blind faith in chemical solutions to environmental and human health. It is time for a better vision for New Zealand, according to Soil & Health.
Soil & Health has long campaigned against toxins in the environment and food chain and is seeking an exemption for organic producers and consumers from any mass chemical fortification.
“Clean Green New Zealand needs an urgent vision of an Organic 2020, not the current chemical patches to chemical misadventure approach”, said Steffan Browning.
Consumer Choice with Folic Acid
/in Food, Media Releases, Organic Community, OrganicsNever before have New Zealanders’ been subject to mandatory fortification of their food. Never before have New Zealand’s organic bakers been faced with having to add synthetic additives to their bread. Organic products must have an exemption from mandatory fortification.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) have decided to mandatory fortify bread with folic acid and are expected to make a similar decision for iodine. Both are outside organic consumer expectations.
Food Safety Minister Annette King, meeting with fellow Australian Ministers, can either agree with the decision at the Food Standards Ministerial Council meeting in Canberra, October 25, or seek a review of the decision.
Soil & Health, and the organic bakers and flour millers listed below, call on the Hon. Annette King to allow New Zealand consumers an organic choice.
The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc is 65 years old, and is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and as such advocates for a healthy natural diet derived from food produced organically and free from additives.
Organic bakers, farmers and millers using natural growing, and baking techniques and ingredients seek an exemption from mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid and iodine.
Organic bakers do not use synthetic additives, and such additives are completely against the principles of organic production.
Small mills will have difficulty in equipping for fortification and this would be a barrier to fair trade. Some mills may have to close down.
Organic bakers take pride in the natural quality of their products.
Organic consumers seek out organic products because of the way they are produced and the absence of synthetic ingredients. Many organic breads are whole grain, maintaining natural folate.
Organic consumers are most often health conscious and many use specific dietary items to address known nutritional gaps.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) decision for mandatory fortification with folic acid and the proposal to fortify with either potassium/sodium iodate/iodide is without precedent in New Zealand. No other fortification of food has ever been mandatory in New Zealand.
Consumers have indicated in surveys that they do not want mandatory fortification. In a New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) 2005 study, 84% thought mandatory fortification should not apply. Over 75% of the study group emphasised consumer choice is very important.
The only consumer choice granted by FSANZ is unleavened breads and unfortified flour. This is not really choice for most consumers.
An exemption for organic bread will give all consumers a choice of a fortification free product while still accessing a healthy option.
Organic Bakers
* Purebread – Robert Glensor Ph 04 902 9686, 0274 575 964
* Breadman – Steffen Klink Ph 03 365 0990
* Venerdi – Phil Ph 09 813 5481
* Helios Bakery – Matthias Kroeger Ph 09 372 8382
* Dovedale – Greg Ph 03 539 1167
* Essene Bread – Colin Thomson Ph 09 835 1223
* Watermill Bakery – Bolli Bolliger Ph 06 370 1129
* Quake Bake – Robert Hass Ph 06 833 6446
Organic Millers
* Millmore Downs – Ian & Gita Henderson Ph 03 314 3712
* Terrace Farm – Geoff & Ira Wilson Ph 03 302 8663
* NZ BioGrains – Harry & Mary Lowe Ph 03 308 7349
Below are examples of the options left for consumers who want to avoid mandatory fortification of all other bread with folic acid and iodine. The other alternative is to bake your own bread.
Mandatory fortification of iodine in bread
/in SubmissionsBelow is the Soil & Health NZ submission to FSANZ’ Proposal for Mandatory Fortification of Iodine in bread.
Bar influence by Food Safety Minister Annette King at the October 25 Ministerial Council meeting, folic acid which has already been recommended by FSANZ, will be likely joined by iodine to be included in NZ bread including organic bread.
Annette King can either press her Australian equivalents, state and federal, to call for a review of the FSANZ decision to allow, for example, an exemption for organics from any mandatory fortification, or the Minister can take New Zealand down a different path than the Australians as happened with Country of Origin Labelling. The Minister has the power. Or of course Australian ministers can call for an organic exemption.
Mandatory fortification of any NZ foods has not occured before. All fortification has been voluntary, including the high uptake of iodised salt in the past. This is a serious intrusion into free choice of all consumers and the integrity of NZ organics.
We have been given support by MPs from two parties so far and given opportunity it would be useful to put our concerns to any MPs that you come in contact with, particularly those close to the Labour Government. This is not new legislation it is over to the Minister.
Remember FREE CHOICE and an ORGANIC EXEMPTION.
Thanks
Steffan
Spokes
person
———
Submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Re: PROPOSAL FOR MANDATORY FORTIFICATION WITH IODINE (Proposal P230)
The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc is 65 years old, and is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and as such advocates for a healthy natural diet derived from food produced organically and free from additives.
In the event of mandatory fortification of either or both, iodine and folic acid, Soil & Health recommends an exemption for organic foods.
Soil & Health is conscious of the need for good nutritional education and supports strategies that explain the necessity and sources of iodine in diet, and those factors which suppress adequate iodine uptake.
Soil & Health is concerned that other components such as some soy products and fluoride in the contemporary diet may be factors in the rise in iodine deficiency. Organic consumers prefer a solution to the cause, rather than focus on treatment of symptoms.
In the event of need for supplementation, natural products as ingredients are preferred.
Seaweeds are used by some organic consumers with an awareness of the added need for minerals such as iodine, and certified organic kelp – seaweed products exist with that market in mind.
Acknowledging the high level of nutritional and health awareness of organic consumers, in the event of an exemption for organic foods from fortification, monitoring will show any need for increased education or recommendations to that consumer sector.
Fortification with any synthetic additive is contrary to the ideals of the consumer base of Soil & Health’s membership, and mandatory fortification will reduce choice for those wanting to avoid additives.
That said, many pregnant and breastfeeding women in Australia and New Zealand, in the absence of adequate iodine intake or subject to goitrogenic factors, may require daily iodine supplements.
FSANZ states in the draft assessment report that fortification will not be enough to address iodine status shortfalls.
Soil & Health agrees that an education program through the health system, including information on iodine sources and inhibitors is required, with optional supplementation a possibility.
This does not necessitate mass medication and in that event, broader consumer choice than unleavened bread and a few cereals is appropriate. Considering typical diets, the unfortified choices suggested in the Proposal assessment report are not really choice at all.
Soil & Health is aware of small domestic market focused bakeries that would have difficulty complying with the proposed standard for mandatory fortification with iodine. Those bakeries, and also access to markets requiring no added iodine, need to be allowed for in the interests of fair trade. Regulation as recommended so far disadvantages small commercial operations. An exemption for organic foods would reduce the level of commercial disadvantage.
Organic production and processing is based on minimum alteration or addition to food composition. Organic processing standards restrict additives in bread. BioGro for example would have to change its standard to something less than consumer expectations if mandatory fortification was introduced.
The current voluntary fortification regime allows consumer choice and fair trade as long as clear labelling is present.
FSANZ’ Proposal states, ‘Food labeling or promotional claims must be factually correct and not misleading or deceptive under the fair trading legislation of Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ intends to discuss the use of descriptors such as ‘natural food’, and ‘organic foods’ with the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Commerce Commission, to clarify the status of foods using iodised salt with regards to fair trading”
An appropriate descriptor or definition of ‘organic’ produce or goods is likely and appropriately that which has been produced according to either a ‘National’ organic standard, or is organically certified. The 12 month transition period for implementation allows more than sufficient time for that mechanism to be established.
At least three organic certification organisations in New Zealand:
1. Organic Farm NZ Incorporated
2. BioGro Producers and Consumers Council owners of BioGro NZ Certification and BioGro Domestic Organic Certification
3. The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Demeter certifier in New Zealand, do not agree with mandatory fortification of organic food and in principle agree with an exemption for organic food.
The Soil & Health motto is Healthy Soil , Healthy Food , Healthy People.
Below a paragraph that expresses the principle as presented by one of our prolific members.
“Under genuine organic management the inherent expectation and principle is that the produce grown takes up and produces enough iodine and folic acid to satisfy a person’s need when consuming a balanced organic diet.
While this is not yet necessarily always the case it is the aim of the organic production system to produce ‘whole foods’ in the true sense of the word. We are better off exploring what is required to get acceptable levels in our food crops again and pay the true and fair price for producing quality food.
Giving in to external pressure to fortify foods takes away the only natural option to explore what is required to grow ‘quality’ food and gives producers and wholesalers a cheap and easy way out. It encourages a commodity/quantitative approach (factory farming vs organic farming) and prevents a focus on quality food production. A regulation that encourages fortification encourages poor food production systems!
An exemption would allow the organic producers to continue exploring genetic material and growing methods that deliver ‘genuine’ organic whole foods and will also give consumers a choice”.
Summary
* The Soil and Health Association of New Zealand does not support Mandatory Iodine Fortification.
* Soil & Health supports public education of the need for iodine, sources of iodine and factors that inhibit the uptake of iodine.
* Soil & Health supports informed and fair consumer choice.
* In the event of FSANZ choosing to pursue a Mandatory Fortification regime, Soil & Health requests that an exemption be made for Certified Organic producers and processors.
* Soil & Health and other organic organisations in New Zealand and Australia wish to explore with FSANZ, options for an organic foods exemption from mandatory fortification.
Government call for Consumer Choice ignored by FSANZ
/in Food, Health, Media Releases, Organic CommunitySoil & Health is appalled at the lack of consumer choice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) mandatory folic acid fortification of bread proposal released on Friday evening. The proposal is for effectively all bread to have synthetic folic acid added.
With no meaningful exceptions in the proposal, Soil & Health is calling on the Minister of Food Safety Annette King to use her influence for at least organic breads to be exempt to allow consumers choice.
“At the recent Baking Industry Association of New Zealand conference the Minister expressed the need for choice and the difficulty for bakers with the all bread proposal and I know she has heard consumers” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.
“Mass medication is not wanted by New Zealanders and New Zealand Government submissions to FSANZ were clear about that, but that message has been effectively ignored. New Zealand studies mentioned found the majority of participants were opposed to mandatory fortification with folic acid.”
The FSANZ Board has effectively rejected a strong submission* supporting the need for consumer choice from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Ministry of Economic Development (MED), and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs supported the wide-ranging submission. The Ministry of Health (MoH) supported the submission in principle.
“While varying from the Soil & Health submission, which called for a full exemption for organic products from the synthetic folic acid, NZFSA has certainly listened to consumer concerns and looked for a middle way through” said Mr Browning. “Soil & Health remains committed to helping organic consumers and small bakers find a solution to this draconian proposal.”
There have yet to be any publicly funded campaigns in New Zealand promoting naturally folate-rich foods or folic acid supplements to address the incidence of neural tube defects. Foods naturally high in folate are green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli and spinach), nuts, orange juice, some fruits and dried beans and peas. Cereals are moderate sources of folate. With children to be the more likely victims of excessive folate levels and health issues around excessive folate levels unresolved, choice and education are a better solution.
This FSANZ proposal leaves consumers baking their own bread as the only real option if wanting a choice. This is not acceptable to most organic consumers who, like other consumers. rely on commercial bakers for their synthetic free daily bread.
“My baker of choice uses no additives at all,” said Mr Browning “ and this decision takes no account of the natural folate already existing above average in the wholesome organic loaves.”
The FSANZ proposal says
“Mandatory folic acid fortification may be an issue for bakeries producing artisan breads using only ‘natural ingredients’, and for organic bread manufacturers. Artisan bakers may consider the fortification of their products will not fit with their niche market, and could be seen as detrimental to sales. Folic acid may not be considered a ‘natural ingredient’ as it is a synthetic form of folate, and may also conflict with organic industry standards.”
“FSANZ’ could use Standards New Zealand’s Organic Standard for a definition of organic to allow an exception” according to Soil & Health’s Steffan Browning, “Consumer choice would be the better for it.”
Soil & Health calls on Minister of Food Safety Annette King, New Zealand’s representative on the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, to insist on real consumer choice by way of a review of this proposal at the Council’s next meeting on 25th October 2006.
Steffan Browning
Spokesperson
The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc
021 72 5655
* Excerpts from the FSANZ decision analysis of NZFSA Submission
Consumer Choice
Refers to NZFSA (2005) and NZ Association of Bakers (2004) research on consumer attitudes to mandatory fortification that found the majority of respondents did not support mandatory fortification.
Considers that given the level of resistance to fortification in the New
Zealand population, consumers must have choice between fortified and unfortified bread products. Notes the current proposal would not provide consumer choice.
Health risks
Australian consumption data may not be accurate for NZ populations. Only appropriate to use Australian consumption data for NZ children if no suitable New Zealand data and modelling.
The percent of NZ children exceeding the UL could be far greater than 6% because all flour in NZ may be fortified with folic acid in NZ due to the inability of NZ flour mills to segregate bread making flour.
Children will be exposed to much higher levels of folic acid than previous generations. It may be in future generations of children that adverse effects become apparent.
No monitoring of young children has been undertaken in North America. Both of these countries provide some consumer choice between fortified and unfortified bread.
Removing bread from the diet of young children as an option for avoiding fortified bread would not be consistent with the New Zealand National Nutrition Guidelines.
Organics and natural
New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) considers there may be implications in the proposal standard with regards to fair trade and labelling issues. The NZCC requests the opportunity to discuss these issues further before any decision to adopt the preferred option.
Government call for Consumer Choice ignored by FSANZ
/in CampaignsSoil & Health is appalled at the lack of consumer choice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) mandatory folic acid fortification of bread proposal released on Friday evening. The proposal is for effectively all bread to have synthetic folic acid added.
With no meaningful exceptions in the proposal, Soil & Health is calling on the Minister of Food Safety Annette King to use her influence for at least organic breads to be exempt to allow consumers choice.
“At the recent Baking Industry Association of New Zealand conference the Minister expressed the need for choice and the difficulty for bakers with the all bread proposal and I know she has heard consumers” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.
“Mass medication is not wanted by New Zealanders and New Zealand Government submissions to FSANZ were clear about that, but that message has been effectively ignored. New Zealand studies mentioned found the majority of participants were opposed to mandatory fortification with folic acid.”
The FSANZ Board has effectively rejected a strong submission* supporting the need for consumer choice from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Ministry of Economic Development (MED), and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs supported the wide-ranging submission. The Ministry of Health (MoH) supported the submission in principle.
“While varying from the Soil & Health submission, which called for a full exemption for organic products from the synthetic folic acid, NZFSA has certainly listened to consumer concerns and looked for a middle way through” said Mr Browning. “Soil & Health remains committed to helping organic consumers and small bakers find a solution to this draconian proposal.”
There have yet to be any publicly funded campaigns in New Zealand promoting naturally folate-rich foods or folic acid supplements to address the incidence of neural tube defects. Foods naturally high in folate are green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli and spinach), nuts, orange juice, some fruits and dried beans and peas. Cereals are moderate sources of folate. With children to be the more likely victims of excessive folate levels and health issues around excessive folate levels unresolved, choice and education are a better solution.
This FSANZ proposal leaves consumers baking their own bread as the only real option if wanting a choice. This is not acceptable to most organic consumers who, like other consumers. rely on commercial bakers for their synthetic free daily bread.
“My baker of choice uses no additives at all,” said Mr Browning “ and this decision takes no account of the natural folate already existing above average in the wholesome organic loaves.”
The FSANZ proposal says
“Mandatory folic acid fortification may be an issue for bakeries producing artisan breads using only ‘natural ingredients’, and for organic bread manufacturers. Artisan bakers may consider the fortification of their products will not fit with their niche market, and could be seen as detrimental to sales. Folic acid may not be considered a ‘natural ingredient’ as it is a synthetic form of folate, and may also conflict with organic industry standards.”
“FSANZ’ could use Standards New Zealand’s Organic Standard for a definition of organic to allow an exception” according to Soil & Health’s Steffan Browning, “Consumer choice would be the better for it.”
Soil & Health calls on Minister of Food Safety Annette King, New Zealand’s representative on the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, to insist on real consumer choice by way of a review of this proposal at the Council’s next meeting on 25th October 2006.
Steffan Browning
Spokesperson
The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc
* Excerpts from the FSANZ decision analysis of NZFSA Submission
Consumer Choice
Refers to NZFSA (2005) and NZ Association of Bakers (2004) research on consumer attitudes to mandatory fortification that found the majority of respondents did not support mandatory fortification.
Considers that given the level of resistance to fortification in the New
Zealand population, consumers must have choice between fortified and unfortified bread products. Notes the current proposal would not provide consumer choice.
Health risks
Australian consumption data may not be accurate for NZ populations. Only appropriate to use Australian consumption data for NZ children if no suitable New Zealand data and modelling.
The percent of NZ children exceeding the UL could be far greater than 6% because all flour in NZ may be fortified with folic acid in NZ due to the inability of NZ flour mills to segregate bread making flour.
Children will be exposed to much higher levels of folic acid than previous generations. It may be in future generations of children that adverse effects become apparent.
No monitoring of young children has been undertaken in North America. Both of these countries provide some consumer choice between fortified and unfortified bread.
Removing bread from the diet of young children as an option for avoiding fortified bread would not be consistent with the New Zealand National Nutrition Guidelines.
Organics and natural
New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) considers there may be implications in the proposal standard with regards to fair trade and labelling issues. The NZCC requests the opportunity to discuss these issues further before any decision to adopt the preferred option.
Mass Medication not on says Soil & Health
/in Food, Health, Media ReleasesThe Soil & Health Association is calling for certified organic foods to be exempt from any possible mandatory food fortification schemes.
Today Soil & Health presented a submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand calling for consideration of consumer choice, particularly for those choosing a healthy diet free of additives.
FSANZ had called for submissions to its proposal to have Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification of bread flours throughout Australia and New Zealand.
“Soil & Health promotes organically produced foods that exclude synthetic additives in their production and an exemption for organic foods would give all consumers a choice”, said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.
“Mass medication is not a suitable alternative to a strong healthy diet campaign by the Ministry of Health”
“The real concerns regarding prevention of Neural Tube Defects need targeted attention and as naturally healthy as possible. The effects of Dioxin and other environmental toxins also implicated in NTDs need addressing ahead of weak cross community medication in place of poor diet,” said Mr Browning.
“Our submission also pointed out the lack of consideration to small farm based flour millers if the suggested ‘all bread flours’ fortification regime was pursued.
These producers of nutritious local product would be unfairly disadvantaged if having to equip for fortification.”
Folic Acid
/in SubmissionsThe Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc is 65 years old, and is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and as such advocates for a healthy natural diet derived from food produced organically and free from additives.
This submission will look at the issue of fortification in terms of the Policy Guideline and the original discussion options.
Policy Guideline, Fortification of Food, Vitamins & Minerals.
The FSANZ Act 1991 (the Act) Section 10 contains ‘High Order’ Principles
Objectives
1. (a) – the protection of public health and safety
(b) – provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers to make informed choices.
2. (a) – the need for standards to be based on risk analysis using the best available scientific evidence
(c) – the desirability of an efficient internationally competitive food industry.
(d) – the promotion of fair-trading in food.
Options Considering Fortification with Folic Acid as in the Initial Assessment Report 2004
1. Maintenance of the Status quo
2. Extension of Permissions For Voluntary Folate Fortification
3. Mandatory Folate Fortification
4. Increased Health Promotion and Education strategies to increase folate intakes.
The Soil & Health Association supports the education of consumers on healthy diet and nutritional needs. Soil & Health believes that a healthy diet negates the need for fortification and in the absence of quality national education campaigns promoting healthy diet (option 4), The Act Section 10 Objective 1 (a) is not met.
Objective 1 (a) is also not met considering the risks associated with mandatory fortification as outlined in the submission of the ADHD Association and GE Free NZ in food and environment.
Soil & Health shares the concerns outlined in these submissions. Adequate science has not been researched by FSANZ and NZFSA, and interpretation of the science researched does not appear to be impartial or precautionary. Our members do not share the approach of the authorities.
Soil & Health is conscious of the links between environmental toxins and Neural Tube Defect, for example with dioxin, as in the submission of ADHD Association and others, and Objective 2 (a) should ensure that other causal effects on NTD occurrence are taken into account when or before considering a dietary solution.
FSANZ’s Publication; “Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification – A short guide to the development of a food standard for Australia and New Zealand” includes as a question-answer the following;
Are there any potential adverse effects from taking folic acid?
High doses of folic acid are not known to have any adverse effects on healthy individuals. The US and Canada have had mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid since 1998 and have found this to be a successful and effective means of reducing the rate of NTDs.
This answer does not seriously answer the question and shows a bias towards a mandatory fortification outcome. It is known that high doses of folic acid can have adverse effects, and certainly unhealthy individuals appear not to have been considered. The second part of the answer is not an answer to the question. This type of question-answer PR spin does not meet Objective 1 (a) or (b).
The reduction of options to 1) Status quo & 3) Mandatory Fortification also does not meet Objectives 1 (a) (b), & 2 (a).
There has been no comprehensive promotion and education strategies to increase folate intakes (option 4) in New Zealand, and consequently an appropriate NZ study base on which to use or discount that option, the one preferred by several original submitters and Soil & Health.
Soil & Health is conscious of the need for good nutritional education and supports strategies that explain the necessity and sources of folate in diet. (Option 4)
Fortification with any synthetic additive is contrary to the ideals of the consumer base of Soil & Health’s membership, and mandatory fortification will reduce choice for those wanting to avoid additives.
The Act Section 10 Objective 1 (b) will not be met if any particular food or sub group has mandatory fortification.
For example if white bread or whole grain bread or trim milk were used as a vehicle for fortification, then that food group is no longer a choice for those wanting to avoid fortification.
Informed choice may allow a decision away from that food group, but real informed choice would allow a consumer to have fortified white bread or non-fortified white bread for example. This would favour options 1 or 2 and 4. Certainly not 3. However if option 3 was pursued, an exemption for organic foods would allow consumer choice.
The growth in farm based flourmills and Farmers Markets has not been taken into account in the recommendation to use bread flour as a vehicle for folic acid fortification. Small mills will have difficulty in equipping for fortification and this would be a barrier to fair trade as promoted in Objective 2 (d).
With environmental pressure by primary production intensification, being in part driven by downward pricing mechanisms as identified by The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, in the Growing for Good Report, smaller value added, more direct sales based production is to be encouraged. Objective 2 (d) would encourage such.
These mills invariably are involved with whole grains which have not had the natural folate removed as in the more refined flours, meeting Objectives 1 (a), 2 (d), and fit well into Option 4.
Organic processing standards restrict additives in bread and do not permit the addition of synthetic vitamins. BioGro for example would have to change its standard to something less than consumer expectations if mandatory fortification was introduced.
The current voluntary fortification regime (Option 1) allows consumer choice and fair trade, which could largely remain with Option 2 as long as clear labelling was present.
Organic production and processing is based on minimum alteration or addition to food composition. Pre-mixes for bread have been suggested as an alternative vehicle for fortification, by which some organic bread may be excluded, increasing choice, depending on the bread type/s chosen. However this still is contrary to the expectation of organic consumers, as represented by Soil & Health, that organic food does not have synthetic additives.
With significant growth in organic trade internationally and the New Zealand Organic sectors aim at $1 billion value by 2013, it can be expected that growth in exports of organic flour and baked products from ‘Clean Green NZ’ will increase. There are international variations to acceptance of additives such as folate in organic products, generally based on the domestic market in the importing country, and of course as a trade barrier.
An exemption for organic products from any mandatory folic acid fortification will give New Zealand and Australia’s value added growth industry greater options for trade. The point of difference marketing benefit meets Objective 2 (c & d).
Summary
* The Soil and Health Association of New Zealand does not support Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification.
* Soil & Health supports an Option 4 educative approach to health and nutrition.
* Soil & Health shares the concerns expressed in the submissions of ADHD Association, and GE Free NZ in food and environment.
* Soil & Health supports the submission of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand to which it is a party.
* In the event of FSANZ choosing to pursue a Mandatory Fortification regime, Soil & Health requests that an exemption be made for Certified Organic producers and processors.
GE lucerne / alfalfa
/in SubmissionsThe Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc is 65 years old, and is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and as such advocates for a GE Free environment and diet.
Soil & Health is concerned at the risks of GE contamination to organic production from seed imported into New Zealand and requests that Biosecurity NZ maintains a strong stance to negate that risk. Soil & Health supports the setting up of an effective protocol that will ensure New Zealand gardeners and primary producers do not have to deal with issues of GE contamination.
Organic producers operate with a consumer expectation of 0% GE contamination in their products, and so Soil & Health is in full support of the submission by GE Free in Food and Environment. Organic producers and consumers share many of the issues their conventional counterparts do concerning possible GE contamination, eg market access, liability in the event of contamination, ability to save seed, new weeds, possible health effects, loss of choice.
While supporting GE Free NZ’s position, the Soil & Health Association of NZ also wishes to speak to its position and of the issues significant to organic producers.
Sent to:
Arun Siva
Plant Imports
Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington