US EditionA New California Law Requires Tortillas to Include an Extra Ingredient. Here’s Why
California's new law mandates folic acid in tortillas to address low intake among Latinas and reduce neural tube defects by up to 70%, public health data shows.
- Starting Jan. 1, California will require most tortillas and corn masa products sold in the state to contain folic acid.
- Latinas in California are far less likely to get enough folic acid early in pregnancy, with about 28% reporting intake the month before pregnancy, raising neural tube defect risks.
- The law sets label and formulation requirements while exempting small‑batch producers, requiring manufacturers that do business in California to add folic acid and list it on nutrition labels.
- Research shows folic acid can reduce birth defects by up to 70%, and the CDC found earlier fortification cut neural tube defects by about one‑third.
- Months after California acted, Alabama passed a similar law that takes effect June 2026, and Gruma, parent company of Mission Foods, supports the new laws.
17 Articles
17 Articles
New California Law Requires Tortillas to Include an Extra Ingredient. Here’s Why
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. By Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters Tortillas sold in California are going to have a new ingredient, one that’s intended to help nurture healthy infants. Starting Jan. 1, a new law will take effect requiring most tortillas and corn masa products sold in the state to contain folic acid, a vitamin that’s important to infant health. Latinas in California are far less likely …
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New California law requires tortillas to include folic acid
Starting in 2026, California tortillas will contain folic acid to help prevent birth defects—a change aimed at closing a gap for Latina mothers. The new law will take effect Jan. 1, requiring most tortillas and corn masa products sold in the state to contain folic acid, a vitamin that’s important to infant health. The change is aimed at closing a gap for Latina mothers. Latinas in California are far less likely than other women to get enough fol…
A new California law requires tortillas to include an extra ingredient. Here's why
In summary Starting in 2025, California tortillas will contain folic acid to help prevent birth defects—a change aimed at closing a gap for Latina mothers. Tortillas sold in California are going to have a new ingredient, one that’s intended to help nurture healthy infants. Starting Jan. 1, a new law will take effect requiring most tortillas and corn masa products sold in the state to contain folic acid, a vitamin that’s important to infant healt…
New laws will enter into force in California as of January 1. From an increase in the minimum wage to a ban on plastic bags for purchase, and a new ingredient for tortillas, California residents will see some changes. Prohibition of plastic bags. Plastic bags will be officially banned throughout California as of January 1. The state had already banned single-use plastic bags in 2014, but still allowed stores to offer thicker and reusable plastic…
It is an additional component related to children's health that should contain this food as early as 2026.
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