California’s Tortilla Rule Underscores the Shift in Market Power
California will require folic acid in corn masa products starting Jan 1 2026, making tortillas the first major non‑wheat staple to be fortified nationwide. The mandate, driven by Assembly Bill 1830, forces manufacturers to standardize fortified tortillas across the U.S., effectively turning a state rule into a de‑facto national standard. Industry leaders like Mission Foods and Gruma have already shifted production to comply. The policy has sparked sharp political backlash, notably from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite longstanding scientific consensus on folic‑acid benefits.
Can Enzymes Really Reduce Bitterness in Industrial Bread?
Industrial bakeries are testing hydrolytic enzymes to directly reduce bitterness in bread, shifting flavour at the molecular level rather than masking it. Early internal trials report up to a 62% drop in perceived bitterness, especially in sandwich and toast breads...