Swiss Folic Acid Offensive Foundation
| Swiss Folic Acid Foundation | |
|---|---|
| legal form | Foundation, endowment |
| founding | January 2000 |
| Seat | Zug , Switzerland |
| management | Erich P. Meyer, Maria Walliser |
| Branch | Nonprofit organization |
| Website | http: //www.stiftung-foläure.ch/ |
The Swiss Folic Acid Foundation aims to inform the population about the risks of folic acid deficiency. The core target group are young women and men who want to have children. Since folic acid is of the greatest importance over the entire life of every person, the campaign is also aimed at all other people.
The idea for founding arose from the information about a folic acid deficiency in the population in the “4th Swiss Nutrition Report from 1998 ”by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The foundation has been providing information about the risks of undersupply since January 2000. The name “Folic acid - the vital vitamin” was approved by the FOPH and emphasizes the central importance of folic acid throughout life. Financing takes place on a private level; the foundation is based in Zug.
aims
The main activity is the multimedia prevention campaign with the aim of informing the population about the risks of folic acid deficiency. Further areas of responsibility are: To promote the introduction of products with folic acid and thus to make a sustainable contribution to the health of men and women, as well as support projects for young people with neural tube defects, v. a. Fund spina bifida (open back).
The results of the mandatory folic acid fortification from 86 countries are clear: On average, the number of spina bifida cases has decreased by 47%. As a result, 35,000 babies without spina bifida (NTD) can see the light of day every year. Or close to 100 babies a day. For more information see: www.ffinetwork.org
history
The initiator and founder is Erich P. Meyer, entrepreneur in the canton of Zug. The concept was developed in 1999 due to the fact that the Federal Council was unable to accept the postulate of National Councilor Roland Wiederkehr regarding the mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat flour and bread due to massive objections from various lobbies . Maria Walliser, former Swiss ski racer and mother of a daughter with “spina bifida”, has been its godmother and president of the board of trustees since the start of the offensive.
Bodies
The board of trustees is responsible for the organizational management. The members of the Scientific Advisory Board guarantee that the current state of medical research is ensured in all of the Foundation's publications. The legal advisory board and controlling complete the organization of the foundation.
- Board of Trustees: Maria Walliser (President), Erich P. Meyer (Initiator and Managing Director), Werner Hug , Daniel Wittmer,
- Scientific Advisory Board: Kurt Baerlocher, Walter F Riesen, Monika Eichholzer, Ulrich Moser, Roland Zimmermann, Janich Sych
- Legal advisory board: Rolf Schweiger , lawyer
- controlling: Bohnet and Schlatter Treuhand AG Zug
financing
The foundation is financed by annual membership fees from industry (food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and others) and private sponsors. A cost sharing by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) is being clarified.
partner
The foundation is supported by over 60 partners from the fields of mills, bakeries, food, pharmaceuticals, products for pregnant women and various health care organizations.
Partners may use the “folic acid” label on their products and information on the basis of a partner agreement.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Folic acid for healthy babies. January 15, 2009, accessed June 28, 2011 .
- ↑ a b Folic acid, an unknown but vital vitamin. January 18, 2010, accessed June 28, 2011 .
- ↑ Folic acid: vitamin for life. August 5, 2010, accessed June 28, 2011 .
- ↑ The popular figure. October 30, 2005, accessed June 28, 2011 .