CHC Leadership Lead Letter Urging FDA & HHS to Protect Latino Families from Effects of Corn Masa Flour Products Lacking Folic Acid

Washington D.C — Today, the Congressional Hispanic CaucusLeadership (CHC) and 9 of their colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to protect Latino families from serious neural tube defects (NTDs) by requiring bilingual warning labels on corn masa flour and products that are not fortified with folic acid.

The Members wrote, “It is a tragic fact that Hispanic women and babies in the U.S. suffer from higher rates of serious NTDs compared to other groups. These devastating birth defects, which include conditions like spina bifida and anencephaly, can cause lifelong disability or even death. Such health conditions are devastating to families and can and should be prevented whenever possible. Adequate folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy is crucial for preventing NTDs.”

“Corn masa flour and corn masa products like tortillas, tamales and pupusas are a key part of many Latinos' diets. Over half of Hispanic women of reproductive age report regularly consuming these foods. However, despite the FDA allowing voluntary folic acid fortification of corn masa flour since 2016, 0% of corn tortillas and just 14% of corn masa flour were fortified with folic acid in 2022,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Empowering consumers with clear information in the form of a safety warning label, and expanding access to folic acid-fortified foods, are all crucial steps towards reducing preventable birth defects and promoting health equity for Latino families,” concluded the lawmakers.

The lawmakers urged FDA and HHS to also swiftly act on a citizen petition that UNIDOSUS, the largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, and stakeholder partners, sent to the FDA. The citizen petition similarly called for mandatory, clear, bilingual labels in English and Spanish when a product lacks folic acid fortification and may increase NTD risk.

The letter also urged both departments to:

• Work with Congress and the Administration to identify and advance other policy solutions to increase folic acid intake among high-risk populations.
• Raise awareness about the importance of folic acid fortification in culturally relevant foods like corn masa flour and corn masa products.

Chair Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Deputy Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Whip Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Vice Chair of Policy Darren Soto (FL-09), Vice Chair of Member Engagement Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Vice Chair of Communications Norma Torres (CA-35), Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Freshman Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) were joined by Reps. Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jesus G “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Donald Davis (NC-01), and Seth Moulton (MA-06).

Full text of the letter is available here.

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