The repeating history of objections to the fortification of bread and alcohol: from iron filings to folic acid.

The fortification of staple foods has eliminated many deficiency diseases. Despite this, "tampering" with people's food always provokes opposition, much of it from health professionals. Opposition is often based on self-interest, tunnel vision and theory rather than research. A historical perspective of the patterns of objections to fortification and its outcomes may help resolve the anxieties and opposing ethical positions of advocates and opponents of fortification.