Final answer:
The FDA mandated the fortification of enriched grain products with folic acid to ensure that women of childbearing age receive sufficient folate in their diet to prevent neural tube defects in developing embryos.
Step-by-step explanation:
The FDA ordered fortification of all enriched grain products with an absorbable synthetic form of folate-folic acid. This public health measure is intended to ensure that all women who might become pregnant consume adequate levels of folate, which is at least 400 µg/day from supplements or fortified foods. Adequate intake of folate is crucial because it helps prevent neural tube defects in developing embryos, which can lead to conditions like spina bifida and anencephaly.
Our intestinal microbiota can also synthesize folic acid when provided with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).