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e-7418 (Food and drink)
E-petition
Initiated by Francis Hall from Honeymoon Bay, British Columbia
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled
Whereas:
- Since 1998, Health Canada has required synthetic folic acid to be added to all white flour, enriched pasta, and cornmeal, leaving Canadians no way to purchase these staples in an unfortified form;
- A significant share of Canadians carry MTHFR gene variants that reduce the body's ability to convert synthetic folic acid into its bioactive form, and elevated unmetabolised folic acid in circulation remains an active area of scientific investigation;
- High folate intake can mask the haematological signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, delaying diagnosis in older adults, people on plant-based diets, and those with absorption disorders;
- Most European Union countries, including Denmark after formal review, do not mandate folic acid fortification, instead relying on voluntary fortification and targeted supplementation for those planning pregnancy; and
- Canadians who wish to avoid synthetic folic acid have no reliable means to do so, and current labelling does not distinguish fortified from unfortified products at point of purchase.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Food and Drug Regulations to make the fortification of white flour, enriched pasta, cornmeal, and other regulated grain products voluntary rather than mandatory, and to require clear front-of-package labelling distinguishing fortified from unfortified products, enabling Canadians to make informed dietary choices.
- Open for signature
- May 13, 2026, at 2:23 p.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- September 10, 2026, at 2:23 p.m. (EDT)
