Folic acid move challenged

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson's postponement of a plan for the addition of folic acid to bread is facing a challenge.

The NZ Organisation for Rare Disorders yesterday presented a complaint to Parliament's Regulatory Review committee over the process by which Ms Wilkinson delayed the introduction of the food additive which can reduce the risk of foetuses developing defects.

Should it uphold the complaint the committee can force a vote in Parliament to disallow the amended regulation or replace it to bring forward mandatory fortification.