For more than 30 years, research has clearly shown that folate plays a critical role in healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, particularly in reducing the risk of neural tube birth defects. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should make sure to take a high-quality prenatal supplement to ensure they are getting adequate folate along with other critical nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.
The Administration's announcement on Monday (9/22/2025) with respect to folate and the potential connection to autism raises compelling questions that invite even more rigorous research. It only reinforces the importance of receiving complete nutrition for the health of both mothers and their babies before and during pregnancy. As research continues to emerge on other potential benefits of folate, women are encouraged to discuss these findings with their healthcare providers.
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About the Council for Responsible Nutrition
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 180+ dietary supplement and functional food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements and food in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as to CRN’s Code of Ethics. Follow us on Twitter @CRN_Supplements and LinkedIn.