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yesterday

California Sets Jan. 1 Start for Folic Acid in Most Tortillas and Corn Masa

The policy aims to cut neural tube defects by reaching Latino consumers who report lower pre-pregnancy folate use.

Mexican women cook tortillas on the comal in a tortillería on November 5, 2022 in Morelia, Mexico. Tortillas are an essential element in the Mexican cuisine and has been part of the culture in Mesoamerica since thousand of years.
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Overview

  • Beginning January 1, 2026, most packaged masa harina, tortillas, and processed corn masa products sold in California must be fortified with folic acid.
  • California is the first state to mandate folic acid in corn masa products, with Assembly Bill 1830 passing unanimously before being signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
  • The law specifies 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound of dry corn masa flour and 0.04 milligrams per pound for wet masa products.
  • Small, independent tortillerías are exempt, while large manufacturers are expected to comply, and some, including Mission Foods, already fortify their products.
  • Supporters cite research showing substantial reductions in neural tube defects with folic acid and note lower pre-pregnancy use among Latinas, while some tortilla makers raise concerns about potential taste changes.