SB278: SB278 Standards, Labeling, and Adulteration of Food; corn masa flour and wet corn masa products to contain certain amounts of folic acid; require

Corn masa flour and wet corn masa products, used to make tortillas and similar foods, are not currently required to contain added folic acid in Georgia. This bill creates a new article in Georgia's food law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 2 of Title 26) called the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act. Starting July 1, 2027, corn masa flour sold or used in Georgia would have to contain 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound, and wet corn masa products would have to contain 0.4 milligrams per pound, within an accepted margin of error. Products would also need a folic acid declaration on the nutrition label and a statement that the product contains corn masa. The rules would not apply to snack foods like chips, cottage food operators making small-batch goods at home, or food service establishments using corn masa as an ingredient. The Commissioner of Agriculture could write rules to carry out the law, and violations would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

• Requires corn masa flour sold, made, or used in Georgia to contain 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound starting July 1, 2027.
• Requires wet corn masa products to contain 0.4 milligrams of folic acid per pound of end product by the same date.
• Requires new corn masa flour and wet corn masa products to carry a folic acid declaration on the nutrition label and a statement that the product contains corn masa.
• Exempts snack foods like chips, cottage food operators, and food service establishments from the folic acid and labeling requirements.
• Authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to create rules and regulations to implement the law.
• Makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

The law would affect manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of corn masa flour and wet corn masa products, including companies that make tortillas and similar foods. Cottage food operators, snack food makers, and food service establishments using corn masa as an ingredient would be exempt.

Folic acid fortification is linked to preventing certain birth defects, and this bill would extend that requirement to corn-based flour and dough products common in tortillas and similar foods. Manufacturers would need to adjust recipes and labels, while consumers of these products would get more folic acid without extra exemptions for niche products like snack chips.

• Section 1 adds a new Article 20 to Chapter 2 of Title 26, naming it the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-490).
• Section 26-2-491 defines key terms including corn masa, corn masa flour, wet corn masa product, manufacturer, and snack food.
• Section 26-2-492(a) sets the folic acid content requirements starting July 1, 2027, and requires nutrition labeling of folic acid and a statement that the product contains corn masa.
• Section 26-2-492(b) exempts snack foods, cottage food operators and their suppliers, and food service establishments from the requirements.
• Section 26-2-492(c) authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to adopt rules and regulations to implement the article.
• Section 26-2-493 makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-06Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-03Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-02-26Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2025-02-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)Primary sponsor
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)

• food safety
• folic acid fortification
• food labeling
• corn masa
• tortilla manufacturing