FDA Approves Folic Acid Fortification of Corn Masa Flour

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved folic acid fortification of corn masa flour widely used by Latinos, NBC News reports.

According to the FDA, folic acid is a B vitamin that when taken by a pregnant woman may help prevent neural tube defects, which are birth defects affecting the brain, spine, and spinal cord.

“Increased consumption of folic acid in enriched flour has been helpful in reducing the incidence of neural tube defects in the general population,” said Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Our analysis shows that adding folic acid to corn masa flour will help increase the consumption of folic acid by women who consume this flour as a staple in their diet.”

Data from the FDA shows that adding folic acid to corn masa flour could increase folic acid consumption among Latinos and reduce the risk of birth with neural tube defects.