SB 278: 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 called the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act. Beginning July 1, 2027, manufacturers would have to add folic acid to corn masa flour (0.7 milligrams per pound) and wet corn masa products (0.4 milligrams per pound), within an acceptable margin of error. Products would also need labels declaring the folic acid content and stating that the product contains corn masa. The requirement would not apply to snack foods like chips, to cottage food operators making items at home for direct sale, or to food service establishments like restaurants that use corn masa as an ingredient. The Commissioner of Agriculture could issue rules to carry out the law. Anyone who violates the article or related rules would be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

• Requires all corn masa flour sold or used in Georgia to contain 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound starting July 1, 2027.
• Requires all wet corn masa products sold or used in Georgia to contain 0.4 milligrams of folic acid per pound starting July 1, 2027.
• Requires product labels to declare folic acid content and to state that the product contains corn masa.
• Exempts snack foods, cottage food operators, and food service establishments like restaurants from the folic acid and labeling requirements.
• Authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to write rules 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.

Manufacturers and first purchasers of corn masa flour and wet corn masa products sold in Georgia, grocery retailers who stock these products, and consumers who eat tortillas and similar corn masa foods. Cottage food operators, snack food makers, and restaurants using corn masa as an ingredient are exempt.

Folic acid fortification is linked to reduced risk of certain birth defects, and many corn masa products used for tortillas are not currently fortified. The bill would change what goes into these everyday foods and what their labels say, affecting manufacturers' recipes and packaging starting in 2027.

• Section 1 adds new Article 20 to Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Georgia Code, called the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-490).
• Code Section 26-2-491 defines key terms including corn masa, corn masa flour, wet corn masa product, manufacturer, and cottage food operator.
• Code Section 26-2-492(a) sets the folic acid fortification levels and labeling requirements, effective July 1, 2027.
• Code Section 26-2-492(b) exempts snack foods, cottage food operators, and food service establishments from the requirements.
• Code Section 26-2-492(c) authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to adopt implementing rules and regulations.
• Code Section 26-2-493 sets the penalty for violations as a misdemeanor with up to 12 months confinement, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
• Section 2 repeals all 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
• food labeling
• folic acid fortification
• corn masa products
• agriculture regulation