Overview
- Effective January 1, 2026, tortillas and other corn masa products sold in California must include folic acid and list it on nutrition labels.
- The law sets 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound for corn masa flour and permits 0.4 milligrams per pound for wet masa products.
- Small, artisanal producers such as restaurants and tortillerías are exempt, though some note they could be covered if they expand operations.
- State figures show 28% of Latinas reported taking folic acid before pregnancy versus 46% of white women, a gap cited to justify the mandate.
- Large manufacturers like Gruma say they have fortified since 2016 and support California’s rule as well as a similar Alabama law taking effect in June 2026.