No. HB 685
Filed under Agriculture.
Fortification of Enriched Grain Products with Folic Acid; Requires that enriched grain products offered for human consumption in this state contain folic acid; provides labeling requirements for such products; requires DACS, in coordination with DOH, to enforce certain provisions; requires DOH to submit specified reports to Legislature; provides appropriation. APPROPRIATION: $250,000
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDNeural tube defects like spina bifida cause lifelong disability, and Florida minority communities who eat more corn masa and white rice face higher rates because those foods are not consistently fortified with folic acid the way wheat flour already is.
Starting January 1, 2027, every enriched grain product sold for human consumption in Florida, including wheat and corn flour, bread, cereal, corn masa, and white rice products, must contain folic acid and be labeled as such.
Corn masa flour must contain at least 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound, and corn masa or white rice products must contain at least 0.4 milligrams per pound; cottage food operations and certified organic products are exempt.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, working with the Department of Health, must enforce the requirement, and the Health department must report to the Legislature every year starting in 2028 on how the mandate is reducing birth defects.
AIEvery enriched grain product offered for human consumption in Florida, including wheat flour, corn flour, bread, cereal, corn masa, and white rice products, must contain folic acid starting January 1, 2027, or a violation is grounds for discipline under the existing food-safety statute, s. 500.121.
AICorn masa flour must contain not less than 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound, and a corn masa product or white rice product must contain not less than 0.4 milligrams per pound, both within an acceptable industry standard deviation of error.
AIA product covered by the fortification requirement must be clearly labeled as containing folic acid, following federal Food and Drug Administration labeling guidelines.
AIThe fortification and labeling requirements do not apply to products made by a cottage food operation or to any certified organic product, including an organic corn masa or white rice product.
AIThe Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, coordinating with the Department of Health, must enforce this section, and both departments may adopt rules covering inspection protocols and compliance reporting.
AIThe Department of Health must submit a report to the Senate President and House Speaker by January 1, 2028, and every year after, detailing implementation and any observed reduction in neural tube defects.
AIThe Legislature appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring General Revenue funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to implement the requirement, covering inspections and public education.