Introduction to California Tortilla Law
Tortillas sold in California will soon change forever in hopes that a new ingredient will boost infant health. Beginning New Year’s Day, most tortillas and corn masa products sold in the state will be required to contain folic acid, a vitamin that’s vital to baby health.
Background on Folic Acid Fortification
In 1998, the US required manufacturers to fortify some grain products with folic acid, like pasta, rice and cereals. But critics warn it could forever affect the taste of the state’s tacos. Even though the required dose is tiny, folic acid doesn’t taste great. Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano put it to the test last year — and the results weren’t pretty. In a blind taste test between a regular tortilla and one loaded with the B vitamin, he and tortilla factory owners could immediately spot the difference.
Importance of Folic Acid for Infant Health
State data shows that Latina women in California are far less likely than non-Latina women to get enough of the vitamin early in pregnancy. Lack of folic acid can lead to life-altering birth defects. Between 2017 and 2019, data showed about 28 percent of Latinas reported taking folic acid the month before becoming pregnant, while white women checked in at 46 percent, according to the California Department of Public Health. A lack of folic acid puts women at higher risk of giving birth to babies with such birth defects as spina bifida and anencephaly, which impact the brain and spinal cord. Research shows folic acid can reduce these birth defects by up to 70 percent.
Implementation of Folic Acid in Tortillas
Moving forward, folic acid will be added to tortillas so as to help reduce life-altering birth defects. California is the first state to require the B vitamin in corn masa products. In 1998, the US required manufacturers to fortify some grain products with folic acid — like pasta, rice and cereals — to help women get the necessary amounts of the vitamin. Since then, the rate of babies born with neural tube defects dropped by about one third, according to the CDC. Mission Foods started fortifying its foods with folic acid in 2016. Despite the lower numbers of birth defects, Latin women have had a consistently higher rate of babies born with these types of abnormalities. While the US approved allowing folic acid in corn masa, it was not a requirement. Now, with the implementation of Assembly Bill 1830, California is the first state to require the vitamin in corn masa products, which is used in many staple Latin foods.
Other States Following California’s Lead
Alabama has passed its own version of the law, which goes into effect in June 2026. Some manufacturers have already been adding folic acid to their products. Mission Foods said it started fortifying its foods back in 2016, when the federal government first allowed it, and it supports the new laws in California and Alabama.
Tortillas sold in California will soon change forever in hopes that a new ingredient will boost infant health.
Beginning New Year’s Day, most tortillas and corn masa products sold in the state will be required to contain folic acid, a vitamin that’s vital to baby health.
In 1998, the US required manufacturers to fortify some grain products with folic acid, like pasta, rice and cereals.
Adriana – stock.adobe.com
But critics warn it could forever affect the taste of the state’s tacos. Even though the required dose is tiny, folic acid doesn’t taste great.
Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano put it to the test last year — and the results weren’t pretty. In a blind taste test between a regular tortilla and one loaded with the B vitamin, he and tortilla factory owners could immediately spot the difference.
State data shows that Latina women in California are far less likely than non-Latina women to get enough of the vitamin early in pregnancy. Lack of folic acid can lead to life-altering birth defects.
California is the first state to require the B vitamin in corn masa products.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Between 2017 and 2019, data showed about 28 percent of Latinas reported taking folic acid the month before becoming pregnant, while white women checked in at 46 percent, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Moving forward, folic acid will be added to tortillas so as to help reduce life-altering birth defects.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A lack of folic acid puts women at higher risk of giving birth to babies with such birth defects as spina bifida and anencephaly, which impact the brain and spinal cord.
Research shows folic acid can reduce these birth defects by up to 70 percent.
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In 1998, the US required manufacturers to fortify some grain products with folic acid — like pasta, rice and cereals — to help women get the necessary amounts of the vitamin. Since then, the rate of babies born with neural tube defects dropped by about one third, according to the CDC.
Mission Foods started fortifying its foods with folic acid in 2016.
Despite the lower numbers of birth defects, Latin women have had a consistently higher rate of babies born with these types of abnormalities. While the US approved allowing folic acid in corn masa, it was not a requirement. Now, with the implementation of Assembly Bill 1830, California is the first state to require the vitamin in corn masa products, which is used in many staple Latin foods.
Alabama has passed its own version of the law, which goes into effect in June 2026.
Some manufacturers have already been adding folic acid to their products. Mission Foods said it started fortifying its foods back in 2016, when the federal government first allowed it, and it supports the new laws in California and Alabama.
Conclusion
The addition of folic acid to tortillas in California is a significant step towards reducing the risk of birth defects in infants. While some critics have raised concerns about the potential impact on the taste of tortillas, the benefits of folic acid fortification far outweigh any potential drawbacks. As other states, such as Alabama, follow California’s lead, it is likely that the rate of birth defects will continue to decline.
FAQs
Q: What is folic acid and why is it important for infant health?
A: Folic acid is a vitamin that is essential for preventing birth defects, particularly those affecting the brain and spinal cord. It is especially crucial for women to consume sufficient amounts of folic acid during early pregnancy.
Q: Will the addition of folic acid to tortillas affect their taste?
A: Yes, some critics have raised concerns that the addition of folic acid to tortillas may affect their taste. However, the required dose is tiny, and many manufacturers have already been adding folic acid to their products without any significant impact on taste.
Q: Which states have implemented or plan to implement folic acid fortification in tortillas?
A: California is the first state to require folic acid in corn masa products, and Alabama has passed a similar law that will go into effect in June 2026.
Q: How effective is folic acid in preventing birth defects?
A: Research shows that folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, by up to 70 percent.
