Fortified wheat flour

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Iron levels in the blood²

  Eating iron-fortified wheat flour raised iron levels and lowered anaemia in people across many countries.

• Benefit

  Birth defects in babies³

  In Chile, adding folic acid to wheat flour cut serious birth defects of the brain and spine by about half.

• Open question

  Immune function in women⁴

  In women with low iron, fortified wheat flour with iron and prebiotics changed levels of immune proteins called immunoglobulins.

• Benefit

  Vitamin and mineral levels in women and children⁵

  In women and children in Cameroon, fortified wheat flour was linked to higher iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B-12 levels.

• Benefit

  Cleft lip and palate in babies⁶

  Hospital stays for cleft lip and palate in babies fell after Chile started adding folic acid to wheat flour.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  Vitamin and mineral shortfalls⁷

  Fortified wheat flour adds vitamins and minerals that many people, especially children and women, do not get enough of.

• Benefit

  Iron and anaemia⁸

  Fortified wheat flour may lower anaemia risk, but scientists do not yet know whether it helps other health outcomes.

• Benefit

  Calcium intake shortfall⁹

  Adding calcium to wheat flour could help many people get closer to the calcium they need.

How it’s made and used

• Birth defects and nutrition gaps¹⁰

  Fortified wheat flour carries folic acid and iron, but most people worldwide still cannot get it.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.