MY ATTENTION WAS grabbed by the Department of Health’s recent launch of public consultation into mandatory supplementation of flour with folic acid. Public health consultation is omitted when there is a health emergency, such as the Covid pandemic, due to a balancing of risks between the time needed for consultation and the degree of health threat. AdvertisementFolic acid and flourThe current Department of Health consultation is important because it is proposed that folic acid be added to flour in Ireland. Public consultation on folic acid fortification is welcome. Folic acid fortification could improve health for generations to come, but objections to its introduction ought to be heard and respected.