Labelling – Guidance for sourcing UK flour fortified with folic acid

21 October 2025

Background

In the UK, non-wholewheat flour has historically been fortified with calcium, iron, niacin and thiamine under the Bread and Flour Regulations.

In 2024, the UK introduced an amendment to these Regulations which requires that non-wholewheat flour milled in or imported into the UK is fortified with folic acid and increases the minimum required levels of some of the added vitamins and minerals, bringing the levels in line with the ‘significant amount ’ of the added vitamins and minerals required under Regulation (EC) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.
(Note: A ‘significant amount’ is defined as being 15% of the Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). NRVs are set out in Annex XIII of Regulation (EC) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers).

A transition period up to 13 December 2026 has been granted in the UK under this amendment. This means that businesses in the UK may begin the addition of folic acid at any time before the end of the transition period.

Food businesses in Ireland who source fortified flour from the UK should prepare for the change by ensuring labelling and product information is updated in line with EU legislation. Food businesses are encouraged to continue to engage with their suppliers to ensure the changes are planned and implemented correctly.

Labelling requirements

Food labelling requirements in Ireland are harmonised at EU level under Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC). The FIC Regulation requires that all ingredients in a product are listed on the label in descending order of the weight of each ingredient allowing consumers to make an informed decision based on accurate information when choosing the foods they will consume. For products made using fortified flour, the compound ingredients of the flour will also have to be labelled in the ingredient list, for example; Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Thiamin, Niacin, Folic Acid). Food businesses are responsible for meeting the requirements of the FIC Regulation. This legislation does not provide for transitions or grace periods for labelling as a result of changes arising from industry practices or changes in third country legislation.

Short-term Flexibilities

The FSAI is aware that where UK suppliers choose to implement the changes before the end of the transition period, some food businesses may find it challenging to source new labels and packaging in time. 

In response, the European Commission has agreed to an exceptional short term labelling flexibility in the interest of consumer protection. In cases where food businesses cannot source updated labels in time, over labelling of the list of ingredients and if applicable, the nutrition information, on existing food labels can be used. 

Therefore, the following advice applies to those food businesses experiencing issues to ensure that the food label provides accurate information to the consumer:

• If deemed necessary, the full ingredients list may be temporarily over labelled with a new updated ingredients list to accurately reflect the ingredients with the addition of folic acid.
• If the nutrition information lists vitamins and minerals then it may also be over labelled with the updated nutrition information.
• The font size of the information on the over-label must meet the minimum font size requirements set down in the FIC Regulation.
• It is essential that any over labelling does not obscure any of the other mandatory information required to be declared on food labels and over labels must be firmly affixed to ensure that they cannot be removed easily.
• The food information accompanying products supplied to other food businesses also requires updating so that this information is accurate.
• This is a temporary measure only and it is expected that food businesses revert to normal labelling practices as soon as possible and in advance of the end of the UK transition period, 13 December 2026. 

Further information on UK Flour Fortified with Folic Acid

The FSAI has published a Q&A for consumers on the UK Flour and Bread Regulations to inform them that flour from the UK will be fortified with folic acid and that they may see products like breads, biscuits, cakes and pastries containing folic acid on the Irish market. The Q&A provides information for consumers on why flour is being fortified with folic acid, the types of food products they may see folic acid in the list of ingredients and how they will know if a food product contains folic acid. It also advises consumers to continue with folic acid supplementation advice.