Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recently convened a roundtable discussion with leaders of corn masa flour (CMF) products. The goal was to stimulate the production of folic acid-infused food products. Representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, were also present.
According to an HHS news release, in 2016, the FDA allowed companies to voluntarily add folic acid to CMF products. Consumption of these fortified foods can prevent neural tube defects, particularly among Hispanic women. However, since this permission was granted by the FDA, there has been no increase in blood folate levels among Hispanic women of childbearing age who consume CMF products, as per CDC findings. This demographic is at the highest risk of having a baby affected by a Neural Tube Defect (NTD), with seven NTDs recorded for every 10,000 live births.
"We're learning that we could easily address a really important health care need simply by enriching corn masa the way we have for flour for some time," said Becerra during the meeting. He concluded his remarks with a pledge to continue supporting consumer and supplier education.
Leaders from Ole Mexican Foods, the Tortilla Industry Association, Walmart, Bunge, the Food Industry Association (FMI), Kroger and the Latino Restaurant Association participated in this meeting as per the news release. The conversation focused on sharing information about challenges encountered when educating the public on the health benefits of consuming fortified CMF foods.
The HHS news release further detailed several initiatives undertaken to promote wellness within the Hispanic community. These include implementing measures like The Inflation Reduction Act to lower prescription drug costs; introducing Spanish language text and chat services for use with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; and launching a Spanish version website for FindSupport.gov, which provides information on how to access COVID-19 vaccines and tests.
