Your Latina Nutritionist (Blog)

Why Your Tortillas Now Have Folic Acid (And Why That Matters for Latina Health)

On Jan 1 2026 California enacted a law requiring folic acid fortification of all commercially produced corn masa products, including tortillas. The measure targets the higher incidence of neural‑tube defects among Latina births, a gap left by earlier grain‑fortification policies that excluded corn masa. Early data show a 31% reduction in spina bifida and a 16% decline in anencephaly within two years. Small‑scale, handmade tortilla producers are exempt, sparking debate over cultural autonomy versus public‑health benefits.