Tag: Unenriched flour

In many countries, such as the United States, white wheat flour is often fortified with folic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9. This practice is less common in organic flours and most gluten-free varieties. Individuals looking for alternatives will find a range of suitable choices, like almond or coconut flour.

King Arthur Baking Company states on its website that its retail wheat flours, including bread flour, are not enriched with added enrichments like folic acid. This sets the company's product apart from many conventional flours found in supermarkets.

As of early 2024, King Arthur Baking announced that its retail wheat flours, including bread flour, are not enriched with folic acid or other added nutrients. The decision was based on changing dietary habits and the wider availability of nutrients from other food sources.

Following public health initiatives in the mid-20th century, many governments mandated the enrichment of refined grain products to combat widespread nutritional deficiencies. This led to the common assumption that all white flour is enriched, but the reality is more nuanced, with several notable exceptions to this standard practice.

According to King Arthur Baking Company, their signature wheat flours are not enriched or fortified with any added vitamins or minerals, including folic acid. This distinguishes their products from many conventional flours and directly answers the question: does King Arthur flour have folate?

According to the USDA, Americans should make at least half their daily grain intake whole grains, but most refined flour products are enriched. The question, *is enriched or unenriched flour better*?, depends on whether your focus is on baking performance, nutritional intake, or both.

Historically, flour enrichment was mandated to combat widespread vitamin deficiencies like pellagra. Yes, it is absolutely possible to buy flour that is not enriched, though it requires specific knowledge of labels and product types, such as whole grain or organic options.

According to the CDC, the mandatory fortification of cereal grains with folic acid in the US since 1998 has led to a significant reduction in neural tube defects. However, not all flours are subject to this enrichment process, and many health-conscious consumers seek out these unenriched alternatives. This guide will help you understand what flour is not enriched with folic acid and how to find it.

In countries like the US, mandatory fortification programs mean that most conventional wheat flours are enriched with folic acid. So, what flour doesn't have folic acid in it? Options primarily include certified organic flours, whole grains, and many naturally gluten-free alternatives.

According to the Food Fortification Initiative, more than 80 countries globally have made wheat flour fortification mandatory to combat nutrient deficiencies. Despite this widespread practice, not all flours are enriched. The truth behind the enrichment of flour depends heavily on the type of flour, its processing, and regional regulations.