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House approves folic-acid fortification bill for corn masa flour after amendment
Summary
The House passed House Bill 3 37 on third reading with an amendment that removes a fixed penalty and aligns enforcement with the Department of Health and Social Services; sponsors said the change aims to reduce neural tube defects in communities relying on corn masa flour.
The Delaware House on May 7 passed House Bill 3 37, a public-health measure to require folic acid fortification and labeling for corn masa flour sold or used in the state, with House Amendment 1 adopted on the floor. Representative Jose Ortega, the bill's sponsor, said the amendment removes a fixed $500 penalty and aligns enforcement with existing Delaware Department of Health and Social Services inspection and reinspection authority while changing a wet-corn-masa requirement from a mandate to a recommendation to provide manufacturers flexibility.
Supporters framed the bill as an equity intervention to reduce preventable birth defects in communities that rely on corn masa products. "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 said during floor remarks. The sponsor cited evidence that folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy can reduce neural-tube defects by more than half.
Dr. Myron Rolle, a pediatric neurosurgeon who spoke at the podium with privilege of the floor, urged passage. "I see so many children with spina bifida in my operating room," he said. "If we can help save lives and also save money for the young vulnerable kids of Delaware, then we're making a true difference." His remarks were offered as professional support for the public-health rationale behind the measure.
Floor debate was limited. After the amendment and brief exchanges, the House conducted a roll call and the chief clerk reported the result: 37 yes, 4 absent. Having received its constitutional majority, House Bill 3 37, as amended, was declared passed the House.
The sponsor said the amendment reflects stakeholder feedback and intended to preserve the bill's public-health goals while improving implementation feasibility. The bill now proceeds through the remaining steps of the legislative process.
Ending: The House's adoption of the amendment and final passage sends the bill onward according to standard legislative procedure; the transcript record does not specify an effective date or the next procedural step beyond passage in the House.
