A new law will see flour boosted with folic acid to protect hundreds of babies against serious disabilities every year in Wales.

The new law will require non-wholemeal flour to be fortified with folic acid from the end of 2026 and help prevent around 200 neural tube defects in babies every year.

Neural tube defects affect the brain, spine and spinal cord from developing properly in the womb which can cause life-limiting spinal conditions like spina bifida or anencephaly.

Before becoming pregnant and in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, women are advised to take folic acid supplements to protect their baby against serious defects.

But around half of pregnancies are unplanned, and experts say only some women take the daily tablets.

Adding folic acid to flour-based foods – like bread – will help reduce the number of neural tube defect affected pregnancies.

Calcium, iron and some B vitamins are already added to flour in the UK.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Sir Frank Atherton said: “The Welsh Government is committed to giving children the best, healthiest start to life.

“Fortifying flour with folic acid is a simple and effective way to reduce neural tube defects and make a real difference to so many lives.”