Observing the various health benefits of folic acid, the previous government signed the Trans-Tasman agreement making it compulsory for bakers to add folic acid to products from next month. But the present government decided to put off compulsory folic acid fortification in bread until May 2012.

The government for time being will try to introduce a voluntary programme for folic acid. Support to the programme was a unanimous agreement among bakers at the meeting. The bakers promised that breads with added folate will be in market within six months.

Leafy vegetables such as spinach and other foods such as baked beans are natural source of folate. Folic acid reduces the risk of spina bifida.  

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson said: "I agree with public health advocates that folic acid is beneficial to the health of women and can prevent neural tube defects, but I also understand consumers overwhelmingly want to be able to choose whether or not the bread they buy is fortified."  

Labour MP Ruth Dyson says the move is gob-smackingly hypocritical given eight years ago politicians asked them to do exactly that.