Freshly made tortillas a beloved staple on so many family tables are about to become a powerful tool for protecting life. Starting in 2026, theyll be fortified with folic acid a simple change with the power to help prevent de vastating birth defects in babies.Here at Los Primos Tortilleria, fresh handmade tortillas are made daily , using simple ingredients called masa, or corn dough and water.However, a new law is on the way and for major manufacturers, it means change.Starting soon, corn masa dough and fresh masa products will be made with folic acid thanks to AB 1830, introduced by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula to help prevent devastating birth defects like spina bifida.Dr. Benjamin Leong says this addition isnt necessarily new to everyday food consumption.Its actually something thats been in our baked products, anything with unbleached flour so anything from the bread on the shelf to the raw flour that we buy, said Dr. Leong.Dr. Benjamin Leong says this new change doesn't just benefit babies, but adults as well as folic acid is a necessary vitamin for everyone.So, folic acid is actually just one of several b vitamins. its very very key for a developing child, especially in the first four weeks as the spinal chord develop, said Dr. Leong.According to the National Library of Medicine from 1955 to 2020, Hispanic Americans accounted for about 26% of patients with spina bifida.23ABC reached out to Assemblymember Arambulas office for comment, receiving back in part quote ,Im pleased that AB 1830 now fully goes into effect as a law because it is an important step in protecting the health of mothers and infants from birth defects. Such fortification has been federally required since 1998 in enriched cereal grain products -- but it wasnt made compulsory for corn masa flour and wet masa products.When the new year arrives, tortillas and tamales will deliver more than flavor theyll carry the power to help families live healthier lives.Stay in Touch with Us Anytime, Anywhere: Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube ...read more read less