Promoting Healthy Communities
Corn Masa Fortification
Photo: istockphoto
About Corn Masa Fortification
Photo: Veronica Zaragovia/NPR
What is fortification?
Food fortification is the addition of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to commonly consumed foods such as flour or oil. Fortifying staple foods means that people who regularly eat staple foods have consistent access to essential micronutrients that promote health and prevent disease.
What is folic acid?
Folic acid is the manmade version of vitamin B9. It is required by all humans for DNA synthesis and cellular growth. One of the most effective ways to prevent neural tube defects is through maternal intake of dietary folate, or vitamin B9.
What are neural tube defects?
Neural tube defects (also known as NTDs) are severe birth defects that involve the brain and spine. Examples of neural tube defects include spina bifida and anencephaly. These birth defects can result in severe disability, miscarriage, or infant death.
What is the disparity?
Hispanic communities in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of neural tube defects. Hispanic women are 19% more likely than non-Hispanic women to have a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect. These birth defects can result in severe disability, miscarriage, or infant death.
Context
Corn masa and corn masa products were not included in the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) folic acid fortification mandate. In an effort to rectify this oversight, the FDA allowed for the voluntary fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid in 2016. Despite this allowance, only an estimated 5.8% of corn masa products in the United States are fortified with folic acid.
Potential Impact
Studies predict 127-235 NTDs could be prevented annually in the United States with folic acid fortification of corn masa. Folic acid fortification of corn masa and corn masa products can help prevent future neural tube defects for babies, save lives, and build a healthier future for all Americans.
Advocacy Tools
Downloadable Communications Toolkit
Who is the toolkit for?
This toolkit is for anyone interested in strengthening health in the Latine community. We have divided the toolkit into sections based on our key audiences: vendors of corn masa products (e.g. grocery stores), manufacturers of corn masa products, and consumers of corn masa products.
What’s included in the toolkit?
Background information
Key messages
Suggested social media posts and graphics
Posts for producers
Posts for vendors
Posts for consumers
References
Information Sheets and Flyers
For producers
For vendors
For consumers
Recent Reports
Corn Masa Supply Chain Analysis
A 2024 FFI supply chain analysis of corn masa in the United States revealed that only 5.8% of such products are fortified with folic acid. This report underscores the need for ongoing assessment and strategies to enhance the availability of culturally appropriate fortified foods.
Corn Masa Market Assessment
A recently published FFI market assessment in California and Texas finds that only 13% of corn masa products were fortified with folic acid. If these corn masa products were fortified, an additional 235 birth defects in the US could be prevented each year.
Partner Toolkits
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The #InMyFolicAcidEra Toolkit developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), includes resources to reach young adults who may be planning to have a baby within the next year and healthcare professionals.
Use these #InMyFolicAcidEra materials to help raise awareness about the benefits of folic acid. Download the graphics and videos and copy the sample messages to post on your platforms.
The following resources are included:
Graphics
Videos
Sample messages
National Birth Defects Prevention Network
For National Folic Acid Awareness Week 2024, the National Birth Defects Prevention Network compiled a webpage of key information to advocate for the inclusion of folic acid to prevent serious birth defects of the spine and brain.
The following resources are included:
Suggested social media posts and graphics
General posts about folic acid
Posts for people planning/not planning a pregnancy
Posts for healthcare providers
Additional tools and resources
Recent publications
Supporting Documents
