Del. health committee advances bill to require folic‑acid fortification of corn masa flour

Representative Ortega introduced HB 3 37 as a narrow public‑health measure to require folic acid be added to corn masa flour, arguing the change would prevent neural‑tube defects and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes. “This bill simply ensures that corn masa flour sold or used in Delaware contains safe, effective levels of folic acid and is properly labeled,” Ortega told the committee.

Medical witnesses described the clinical harms the bill aims to prevent. Dr. Hassan Akabari, a pediatric neurosurgeon, explained that spina bifida and anencephaly are neural‑tube defects that can cause lifelong disability or death and noted that fortifying enriched grains in 1998 led to large declines in those conditions. Simone Silver of ChristianaCare said the hospital system delivers thousands of babies and supports the bill because it reaches families who rely on corn‑based diets without requiring behavior change.

Supporters told the committee the measure targets a clear gap: corn masa products commonly consumed in many Latino households were not covered by earlier federal fortification rules, leaving some populations at higher risk. Representative Ortega and witnesses cited evidence that folic‑acid fortification historically reduced neural‑tube defects by a substantial percentage and said HB 3 37 would align corn masa products with other fortified grain foods.

After testimony and public comment, a motion to release HB 3 37 from committee was moved and seconded. The clerk conducted a roll‑call vote and the chair announced that the motion carried; the bill will be presented to the full House if it receives enough committee signatures.

The committee did not adopt amendments on the floor during the hearing; supporters said they had submitted written testimony for the record. The next procedural step is the bill’s release to the full House, contingent on signatures from absent committee members.