The Cost of Folic Acid Supplementation

In conducting our research project, we encountered concerns from providers about the cost of folic acid supplements for low-income women.  We investigated affordable means of providing folic acid to all patients, the findings of which are summarized below.

Cereals

We found that some WIC approved cereals provide 100% RDA of folic acid (including Kellogg’s Special K, General Mills Wheat Chex, and Quaker Life), and other WIC cereals include 50% or less of the folic acid RDA per serving (see cereal list). A number of other cereals also provide 100% RDA of folic acid. 

Vitamin Supplements

We checked vitamin prices at a number of grocery and drug stores: Costco, Bartell’s, Drugstore.com, Long’s, QFC, Rite Aid, Safeway, and Walgreens. Cost for multivitamins with 400mcg folic acid started as low as 2.2 cents per day (Walgreens Gold Seal Multiple, 365 tablets). Folic acid stand-alone vitamins started at 0.86 cents per day (Nature Made Folic Acid, 500 tablets, sold at Costco), while Walgreens Gold Seal Folic Acid was the next lowest price at 1 cent per day for a bottle of 400 tablets. See the vitamin list to find other low-priced vitamins and stores that carry them.

Last Update: December 2002 AJH