Though many staple foods in the United States are fortified with folic acid, corn masa products—a key staple of the Hispanic community—are not. This gap in fortification contributes to Hispanic communities in the US experiencing disproportionately higher rates of neural tube defects (NTDs), serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Hispanic women are 19% more likely than non-Hispanic women to have a pregnancy affected by NTD. These birth defects can result in severe disability, miscarriage, or infant death.
In 2024, FFI published a corn masa supply chain analysis, finding that fewer than 6% of corn masa products in the US are fortified with folic acid. A subsequent market analysis conducted in collaboration with state and local partners in California and Texas found that less than 1% of ready-to-eat corn masa products such as tortillas, are fortified. The key to closing this gap lies with food producers and retailers. They hold the power to significantly improve public health by making fortified corn masa products widely available. Manufacturers can fortify products for retailers to stock, making it easier for consumers to choose foods that support their health and the health of future generations.
To support efforts to fortify corn masa products, FFI met with key US corn masa producers at the Tortilla Industry Association Convention to advocate for folic acid fortification, understand producer perspectives, and answer technical questions. FFI also developed a corn masa fortification communications toolkit aimed at raising awareness among food producers and encouraging both vendors and consumers to demand fortified products. The toolkit includes background information on fortification and folic acid, suggested social media posts and graphics for food producers and vendors, informational flyers, scientific references, and other tools.
The toolkit and key advocacy messages were distributed through over ten unique outlets, including the FFI website, articles in Abasto Magazine and Milling and Grain Magazine, the nationally broadcast podcast Health Wanted, email newsletters, FFI social media platforms, and key FFI partners who amplified the messages by sharing social media posts. FFI also led a social media campaign throughout US Hispanic Heritage Month and US Folic Acid Awareness Week in September and October 2024, during which FFI shared 68 social media messages across Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn, collectively garnering more than 10,000 impressions.
As a result of FFI and partners’ advocacy, corn masa producers are beginning to fortify more products with folic acid. By the end of 2025, FFI estimates that around 25% of corn masa flour will be fortified. FFI expects to see this trend continue to increase as more producers seek to fortify their products, just like their competitors.
In addition to FFI’s work with the private sector, there has been an increasing government interest in fortifying corn masa. FFI provided technical insight into California Assembly Bill 1830, which was signed into law in September 2024. The bill mandates fortification of corn masa flour, with some exceptions, and allows for voluntary fortification of corn masa products. FFI is continuing to provide technical support to other states pursuing similar mandates.
Header Image: Photo by David Boté Estrada, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0
