In February 2023, the Center for Science in the Public Interest published “Failure to Fortify: How companies are neglecting to take a simple step that could save Latine lives.”1 The report described the science linking folic acid intake and reduced risk of neural tube birth defects (NTDs) and the history of folic acid fortification policy in the United States. It examined the reasons why Latine people in the United States face higher rates of NTDs and the policy change in 2016 allowing folic acid fortification of corn masa to help address racial/ethnic differences in rates of NTDs. The report also assessed the availability of fortified corn masa flour and corn tortillas in U.S. grocery stores. CSPI researchers looked at a sample of 59 corn masa flour products from 17 different companies and 476 corn tortilla products from 134 different companies, all sold across the United States between 2018-2022. The data showed that only 1 in 7 of the corn masa flour products and none of the corn tortillas contained folic acid. The report concluded with recommendations for increasing folic acid intake among Latine people in the United States, including through increased uptake of voluntary fortification by companies selling corn masa products.
Since the publication of CSPI’s Failure to Fortify report, there have been several additions to the scientific literature and new policy developments to encourage folic acid fortification of corn masa products. The purpose of this status update is to summarize those new research and policy developments, to assess progress in the availability of folic acid-fortified corn masa products in 2025, and to share key takeaways to inform future corn masa fortification efforts and other corporate engagement advocacy campaigns.
In summary, analyses published to date by other researchers have not yet detected an improvement in folic acid intake or a reduction in rates of NTDs in the Hispanic population relative to the non-Hispanic White population since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began allowing voluntary corn masa fortification. However, our assessment of the corn tortilla marketplace in 2025 found a substantial improvement in the availability of fortified corn tortillas since 2022. Unfortunately, an uptick in misinformation about the safety and benefits of folic acid could undermine consumer confidence and recent progress.
To read the report, view the resource below.
