Nutrition Educators

NTDs remain a serious public health concern, with data showing rates among Hispanic women to be six times the national average.

Since implementation of folic acid fortification in 1998, approximately 10,000 neural tube defect affected pregnancies have been prevented.

Folic acid fortification of enriched grain products contributed to a 36% drop in neural tube defects from 1996-2006.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention selected folic acid fortification of enriched grain products as one of the top 10 public health achievements in the first decade of the 21st century.

2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the enrichment of grains, first mandated by the government in 1941 to address malnutrition in the US population.

Enriched grains are responsible for eradicating the crippling diseases pellagra and beriberi from the US population.

Enriched grains provide essential B vitamins which help maintain a healthy nervous system, increase energy, and may lower cholesterol.

Enriched grains are the primary source of folic acid in Americans' diets and have been shown to reduce specific types of neural tube defects.

Grain foods are a major source of iron, a key nutrient in the production and release of energy to the body.

Complex carbs in bread, rice, and other grain-based foods provide essential fuel the body needs.