About Us

The FFAC is a coalition of public and private agencies and businesses from around Florida who are working together to decrease the incidence of neural tube defects by encouraging women of childbearing age to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily prior to pregnancy. The FFAC also promotes the recommended RDA intake of folate for all persons as a strategy for promoting overall good health.

Mission

To decrease the incidence of folic acid preventable birth defects and to promote optimal folate status among Floridians.

To fulfill its mission, the Florida Folic Acid Coalition pursues the following goals:

  • Increase the number of women who consume 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of synthetic folic acid daily, from fortified foods and/or supplements, in addition to food folate from a varied diet.
  • Establish folic acid education as a routine and standard part of the delivery of preventive health care services to Floridians.
  • Increase awareness and education of the nutritional and health benefits of folic acid across the lifespan.

Vision

As a result of the Coalition's efforts, this simple primary prevention strategy will result in fewer pregnancies affected by folic acid preventable birth defects. More Floridians will recognize the benefits of achieving and maintaining optimal folate status.

Coalition History and Strategies

The Florida Folic Acid Coalition (FFAC) was founded in 1999 and joined the National Council on Folic Acid in 2002. From 1999 to 2002, the Council was led by the March of Dimes, Florida Chapter and in 2002, the Birth Defects Center at the University of South Florida assumed leadership. In 2005, the FFAC moved to the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, where faculty in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department developed and maintained the current website. In 2017, the Coalition and website was transitioned to the Florida Department of Health’s Public Health Research Unit, Division of Community Health Promotion. 

The FFAC is working toward accomplishing its goals through the following strategies:

  • Increase the proportion of women of childbearing age in Florida who understand that consuming folic acid daily can help prevent neural tube defects.
  • In collaboration with our partners, educate the public and health care professionals about the US Public Health Service and Institute of Medicine recommendations on folic acid.
  • Educate health care practitioners, maternal and child health advocates and the public about the important public health opportunity folic acid represents for the prevention of serious birth defects and other diseases of public health significance.
  • Promote the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) intake of folate for all persons as a strategy for promoting overall good health.