A few years ago a unique cooperative research programme has started with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Medical Faculty of Nijmegen University. The objective is to study the bioavailability of folic acid in different foods and to investigate which folic acid levels can be achieved from foods which are regularly used in Dutch dietary patterns. This research may probably have a much broader impact in addition to the obvious role for pregnancy. Folic acid does regulate the homocysteine status of the human body. Increased homocysteine levels are being considered as a risk factor for cardio-vascular diseases. This makes the research into this field even more fascinating.