The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all women who could become pregnant and women who are already pregnant about the importance of taking a folic acid supplement before conception and up until the 12 th week of pregnancy. The reminder comes after the Department of Health introduced legislation that will see folic acid added to non-wholemeal flour in Northern Ireland in order to help protect newborn babies from serious brain and spine problems. The new measures will come into effect from 2026, to allow businesses to prepare for the change. Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing