Yep - Organic is fine as they legally can't add synthetic folate to it. This is the letter I received from Lauke today it's long but a detailed response. 
Thanks
Renee
Dear Renee,
RE: Mandatory Folate Fortification
Thank you for your enquiry. We seek to make a wide range of bread mixes
that are distinct from all others on the market, with special attention
to health, flavour, nutrition and quality.
Laucke actively avoids the inclusion of unnecessary additives.
In accordance with a Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
proposal, it has been Legislated that all wheat flour intended to be
used for making bread be supplemented by Millers with Folic Acid by 13th
September 2009. This requirement applies to both wheaten bread flour
used for commercial bread manufacture and for Retail (Home bake) use.
This is a Legislated mandatory requirement.
While Folate is one of the B Group vitamins, and natural Folate is
present in many foods and it is regarded as an essential vitamin, the
Australian Government has decided to Mandate the "fortification" of all
conventional flours destined for bread making purposes with a synthetic
version of Folate, being Folic Acid. The legislation requires that Folic
Acid be added at the rate of between 2 and 3 mg per kilogram of wheat
flour intended for making bread. Wheat flour not used for bread making
and Organic flour is excluded from this requirement. Non-wheat flours
(such as Rye, Buckwheat, etc) are also excluded from this requirement.
However, since Folic Acid must be added to all "wheat flour for making
bread", and "bread" is defined as "the product made by baking a
yeast-leavened dough", and since Millers cannot predict what foods a
cook or baker may produce from their flour, Folic Acid must be added by
Millers to all flours that may be used for yeast raised products.
Therefore it is inevitable that Folic Acid will be included in most
conventional baked products except some biscuits.
Here is a link to the Standard that we must adhere to:
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Standard_2_1_1_Cereals_v112.pdf
While 1A in the Standard suggests that such products will not contain
folic acid, the reality is that MOST baked products (not necessarily
just bread) will contain folic acid. This is because
* millers must supply MFF flour if they believe that it will be
used in a yeast-leavened dough
* most bakers use just one flour to create many products
* there is a "ripple down" effect, such as where bread crumbs are
made from Bread
Folic Acid is difficult to add to flour in the prescribed amounts, and
is not the natural form of Folate as found in food, and more risky
because of that. It is the Government's intention that the entire
population of Australia will be forced to consume Folic Acid, so as to
ensure an increase in the folic acid intake of all woman around time of
conception, hoping that the examples of neural tube defects are reduced
by perhaps 10 to 30 per year.
What are the downside risks?
While there are known health benefits associated with additional
consumption of Folate, researchers are now finding an increasing number
of adverse outcomes being associated with Folic Acid consumption.
Children between 2 and 4 years, the elderly, those with cancer and the
precursors of cancer, persons taking medication for neurological
problems, and the offspring of women over-supplemented with Folic Acid
all face an increased degree of risk of adverse outcomes. Thus a
significant percentage of the Australian population of about 22 million
people will face the risk of adverse health outcomes.
We are not reassured by authorities who suggest that such risks are
minimal or non-existent.
Consumers will find it difficult to avoid consuming supplemental Folic
Acid.
One would have to conclude, in light of the latest knowledge about the
downsides of Folic Acid fortification, that the risks outweigh the
benefits.
Australia has already successfully increased folic acid consumption.
Many specific foods and supplements are available and advertised as
containing added folic acid, with these foods and supplements being
targeted at those who are expected to directly benefit.
The previous benefits of this targeted Voluntary system are likely to be
lost with Mandatory fortification. Women currently taking Folate
supplements will probably cease taking their supplements because they
are aware of mandatory fortification, and for the same reason current
Voluntarily fortified Foods will be less sought and most likely no
longer produced by manufacturers.
It is likely that expectant mothers who need the extra folate will end
up getting less folate than they were before, and so the number of
Neural Tube Defects could actually increase, while at the same time the
entire Australian population will be at risk of adverse effects.
In the USA, Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification has existed for more than
10 years. We can learn something from that. Recently there has been
calls to increase the fortification rate, because the targeted
population groups have actually demonstrated a decline in folic acid
levels. This supports the proposition that Mandatory Fortification is
less effective than Voluntary.
Unfortunately, while there has been monitoring of the benefits of folic
acid, there has been no consideration of or monitoring of any adverse
effects. Thus there is no statistical evidence of adverse health
effects.
Mandatory fortification was initiated as a trans-Tasman Food requirement
(ie. FSANZ - to apply to Australia and New Zealand equally). In early
August 2009, New Zealand reversed that decision and will now NOT require
mandatory fortification with folic acid. 87% of New Zealander
population do not want folic acid in their food. Ireland have abandoned
proposed Mandatory Fortification to Voluntary Fortification due to
health risks and uncertainty. The United Kingdom is also reassessing
their intention to mandate folic acid fortification. However, the
Australian Government appears comfortable with what is currently
legislated, and will remain comfortable until consumer pressure changes
their perspective.
Laucke believe that:
* Voluntary consumption of Folic Acid should very much be
supported and encouraged for the targeted small group of women who will
benefit from Folic Acid consumption, with a focus on the education of
that group regarding the benefits of Folate and Folic Acid.
* MFF must be proven safe according to due process, or
discontinued.
* The Food Industry (incl Bakers) and Consumers be encouraged to
seek more information, take ownership and become involved in MFF issues
to put pressure on the Government for a Review, otherwise it is
inevitable that MFF will be here to stay.
Laucke both disagreed and outright refused to implement 'The Standard'
for Mandatory Fortification of Folic Acid (MFF) for reasons of consumer
safety, duty and risk management. We have now been given no other choice
but to comply with the law, and ensure that all applicable Laucke
products be fortified on or before 1st February, 2010. Packs containing
Folic Acid will be labelled as part of the ingredients listing or have
"Ingredient added: Folic Acid" printed on the pack.
This decision was made after much deliberation and effort towards
convincing the members of the Ministerial Council for Food Regulation
that MFF should be postponed and The Standard for MFF reviewed, but to
no avail.
We have sent circulars to bakers and many key players on the Food
Industry.
You may view pertinent information at
http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2009/12/14/leading-flour-miller-expresses-concerns-over-mandatory-fortification.html
or
we are able to make the following Appendices available to you should
you be interested in further information:
Appendix A: "Folate vs Folic Acid" - The difference between Folate and
Folic Acid.
Appendix B: "Australian Representations of Safety".
Appendix C: "Extracts from research papers regarding the metabolism of
Folic Acid by humans".
Appendix D: "Folic Acid consumption and Mandatory Fortification and the
risk of adverse health effects". - List of Contacts and Publication
links.
As you can see, our hands are somewhat tied regarding supply of products
free from Folic Acid. However, we do have a duty to protect the
Australian community.
* We already produce Organic Flours but they are not readily
available nation-wide, nor in convenient pack sizes for home bakers. We
are feverishly seeking to introduce new Retail certified organic flours
and bread mixes to supermarkets.
* We are working assiduously in the background, building an
irrefutable science-based case against Mandatory fortification of food
with folic acid, and seeking to have Bakers understand why we are so
worried, and to then have the Bakers as a group make representations to
the Australian Government - much as in New Zealand.
In Summary:
* Laucke actively oppose MFF.
* Laucke have had choice but to comply with the law, and ensure
that all applicable Laucke products be fortified with Folic Acid on or
before 1st February, 2010. Packs will be labelled.
* Laucke encourage the Food Industry and Consumers to become
actively involved to ensure a Review of MFF takes place.
* Laucke are working on making Folic Acid free products more
readily available.
I hope this information is of interest to you, and suggest that you
should take whatever action you feel appropriate regarding any concerns
that you may have.
Should you wish to voice your concerns, the following information should
be of assistance (they introduced Mandatory Folate Fortification and are
the only ones who can remove it).
Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/aboutfsanz/theministerialcounci1551.cfmhttp://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/foodsecretariat-anz.htm
Composition
Membership of the Ministerial Council comprises Health Ministers from
most Australian States and Territories, the Australian Government, and
New Zealand as well as other Ministers from related portfolios (Primary
Industries, Consumer Affairs etc) where these have been nominated by
their jurisdictions. All jurisdictions, except New Zealand, have
nominated a Lead Minister for voting purposes. New Zealand has nominated
their Minister for Food Safety as Lead Minister for voting purposes.
Members
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/foodsecretariat-members.htm
Apologies for the lengthy response, but I hope this helps clarify the
situation.
Best Regards,
Alexandra
