Prevention by enrichment of basic food with iodide, fluoride and folic acid: a chronology

R. Lux, U. Walter, Hannover

Since 1998, basic foods have been enriched with folic acid in the USA, Canada and Hungary in order to minimize the risk of neural tube defects and cardiovascular diseases. This has led to renewed discussion in Germany about a partially population-based prophylaxis.

Implementation of prophylactic measures with iodide in Switzerland in the twenties of the last century and the iodization of table salt since 1924 in the USA make an individual prophylaxis of goiter possible. Population-wide caries prophylaxis via fluoridation of drinking water was established in the mid forties in U.S. cities and has lately been considered by Central European states as well.

After a short phase of drinking-water fluoridation in some regions of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1952 to 1971, TWF was completely stopped in Germany after its reunification. In 2003 the demicanton of Basel was one of the last regions on the continent which decided to stop the fluoridation of drinking water practiced since 1962. The present study illustrates the development of a population-wide strategy of table-water fluoridation. It is compared to the practice of iodization and enrichment of flour with folic acid suggested for Switzerland in 2002. From the historical series of events conclusions may be drawn regarding present approaches to food-related prevention.

Key words: Enrichment of basic food / iodide / fluoride / folic acid / chronology

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs-Umschau 11/05 ab Seite 444.