By Jessie Genoway
A new study by the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) has revealed a startling reality: less than 6% of corn masa products in the U.S. are fortified with folic acid. This gap represents a significant missed opportunity for food producers to make a powerful impact on public health, especially within Hispanic communities. Fortifying corn masa products with folic acid could help prevent devastating birth defects of the brain and spine, known as neural tube defects (NTDs), which disproportionately affect Hispanic communities in the U.S.
Hispanic women are 19% more likely than non-Hispanic women to have pregnancies affected by NTDs, which can lead to miscarriage, severe disability for the child, or even infant death. Folic acid, a form of vitamin B9, is crucial in preventing these birth defects when consumed before and during early pregnancy. With approximately half of U.S. pregnancies unplanned, access to folic acid through staple foods like corn masa is essential. Yet, despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowing voluntary fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid in 2016, FFI’s recent assessment shows that these efforts have fallen short.
Expanding folic acid fortification across all corn masa products is not only a crucial public health measure—it’s also highly cost-effective. Fortifying a 4-pound package of corn masa with folic acid costs less than a cent (only .18 cents), yet it has the potential to prevent 127–235 NTDs annually in the U.S. This preventative measure could save families from the emotional and financial toll of birth defects, with conditions like spina bifida costing an estimated $742,000 over a lifetime. Moreover, fortifying corn masa products could generate substantial savings for the healthcare system, as current fortification efforts in wheat products save the U.S. about $603 million annually.
Related Article: California Bill Would Mandate Folic Acid Fortification in Corn Masa Flour
Despite the clear benefits, FFI’s market survey in two U.S. regions with large Hispanic populations—Texas and California—found that only 47% of corn masa flour bags were labeled as fortified, and almost no tostadas and tortillas were fortified. These findings emphasize that fortified foods are not reaching all consumers, leaving many without access to folic acid in their daily diet. Expanding fortification to all corn masa products is critical for ensuring that every woman of childbearing age has consistent access to the nutrients she needs to protect her future children from NTDs.
Corn Masa Fortification Communication Toolkit
To address this gap, FFI has developed a corn masa fortification communication toolkit aimed at raising awareness and encouraging both vendors and consumers to demand fortified products.
Manufacturers hold the power to significantly improve public health by fortifying their products, while retailers can ensure that fortified options are readily available to consumers.
During National Folic Acid Awareness Week, September 8 to 14, and Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, FFI and its partners will officially launch the campaign and share key messages from the toolkit. By working together, the food industry and consumers can help reduce the incidence of NTDs in Hispanic communities, saving lives and building a healthier future for all.
Fortification is more than just a safe, effective way to ensure that all communities get the micronutrients they need—it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of future generations.
About the Food Fortification Initiative
The Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) is a public, private, and civic partnership that aims to improve health globally by assisting governments, regional bodies, civil society partners, and food producers to plan, implement, and monitor food fortification programs. Based at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, FFI has worked for more than 20 years across geographies to support the large-scale fortification of flour and rice with essential nutrients like iron, folic acid, and zinc to combat hidden hunger and its consequences, including iron-deficiency anemia and birth defects of the brain and spine.