Thanks to the efforsts of March of Dimes and the Grain Foods Foundation, you will now see this new "Folic Acid for a Healthy Pregnancy" seal on certain products so you can easily identify grain products, such as white bread, that are enriched with folic acid.

Remember that folic acid is essential during pregnancy, particularly during the first few weeks, to prevent congenital brain and neural tube defects, including spina bifida. It is so important that women are advised to consume folic acid-rich foods or take folic acid supplements even before they conceive.

If you are contemplating on getting pregnant in the near future, 400 micrograms of folic acid daily beginning before pregnancy and continuing into the early months of pregnancy is recommended. Bread, crackers, bagels, pasta, pretzels and tortillas made from fortified, enriched white flour are popular and important sources of folic acid. In addition, there are also certain foods that are naturally rich in folate.

January is Birth Defects Prevention Month and January 7-13, 2008 marks Folic Acid Awareness Week.