New California tortilla law aims to decrease birth defects in Latino babies
Updated on: December 29, 2025 / 9:48 PM PST / CBS Sacramento
TL;DR
- California is requiring manufacturers to add folic acid to corn masa products starting January 1.
- The law aims to decrease birth defects in children born to Hispanic women.
- Folic acid is known to promote cell growth and can reduce birth defects by up to 70%.
- A 1998 FDA mandate required folic acid in enriched grains but excluded corn masa products.
- Latina women have not seen a decrease in neural tube defects, prompting the targeted legislation.
- The cost to fortify corn masa is estimated at four pennies per metric ton.
- Mom-and-pop shops are exempt, but large manufacturers must comply.
- Mission Foods already incorporates folic acid into their products.