In 2025, FFI expanded its technical assistance efforts in the United States to support the development of state-level corn masa flour fortification mandates and strengthen advocacy for folic acid fortification. Working in collaboration with the CDC Foundation and the Global Alliance for Prevention of Spina Bifida (GAPSBiF), FFI focused on increasing the availability of fortified corn masa products and advancing policy solutions to help prevent neural tube defects for Americans.
Building on earlier national efforts, FFI completed a project aimed at understanding and improving the landscape of corn masa fortification. A central component of this work was codifying technical best practices for fortification, culminating in a suite of technical briefs finalized in summer 2025 and shared with members of the Tortilla Industry Association. These resources provide practical guidance to industry stakeholders and policymakers seeking to implement effective fortification standards.
FFI also provided direct technical assistance to support advocacy and legislative development in multiple states. FFI contributed technical expertise in partnership with GAPSBiF to inform bills that require corn masa producers to fortify with folic acid. In a tremendous bipartisan win for nutrition, corn masa bills were passed in California and Alabama in 2025. FFI also supported proposed corn masa fortification bills in states including Georgia, Florida, and Texas.
Engagement with industry partners was another critical component of the initiative. FFI presented technical best practices and updates on state mandates at the Tortilla Industry Association Convention in May 2025 and provided one-on-one support to corn masa producers preparing to comply with emerging regulations. Outreach to major retailers and manufacturers—including Walmart, Kroger, Olé Mexican Foods, and Gruma—helped build private-sector awareness and encourage alignment across the supply chain.
Among others, Gruma has emerged as an industry leader for improving nutrition in the US by adding folic acid to a majority of its corn masa products and advocating that all food producers do the same.
Together, these efforts strengthened the technical and advocacy foundation needed to advance corn masa fortification in the United States. By supporting policymakers, advocates, and industry partners simultaneously, FFI is helping create sustainable pathways for fortification policies that can improve nutrition outcomes and reduce preventable birth defects nationwide.
