Briefs on rules, recalls, warning letters and labeling requirements that affect tortilla and masa makers. Topics include folic acid fortification laws, FDA standards, allergen recalls and food-safety enforcement. 12 stories, newest first.
FDA classified Holsum De Puerto Rico's recall of Holsum Spinach Flour Tortillas Large (8 ct, 20 oz) as Class II on Oct. 14, 2026. The label left out FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Yellow No. 5. About 9,602 units in nine lots went to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FDA on Oct. 9 issued a final rule permitting “safe and suitable” salt substitutes in foods whose federal standards of identity list salt as a required or optional ingredient. The rule amends 80 standards directly and, through cross-references, opens 139 in total, including bread, rolls and buns, self-rising flour and self-rising white corn meal, many cheeses, sour cream, mayonnaise, salad dressing and catsup. It names no specific substitutes, adds no new labeling requirements and is voluntary. The rule is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register Oct. 13 and takes effect 60 days after publication. Docket FDA-2022-N-2226.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed S-4193/A-5119, the Fortifying Corn Masa Act, on Sep. 28, 2026. Bill text sets corn masa flour at 0.7 mg folic acid per pound within one year of the effective date (act takes effect immediately). Wet corn masa language is permissive: it may contain 0.4 mg/lb. Snack foods are exempt. Angle for masa mills, plants, and co-packers shipping into New Jersey: SKU, COA, and labeling readiness as another large-market mandate stacks on California (and Alabama per prior TN coverage).
A Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP) study detected aflatoxin B1 in samples from 16 of 30 tortillerías in the San Luis Potosí capital. State health officials say Coepris keeps permanent sanitary surveillance of tortillerías and corn mills; a fuller inspector-sampling readout is expected in roughly one to two months.
FDA’s May 26, 2026, warning letter to Pamex Foods Incorporated (District Heights, Md.) says the importer had not developed an FSVP for any imported foods, including corn flour and frozen stuffed corn tortillas. FDA also flagged facility registration failure and possible DWPE under Import Alert 99-41.
An AP report via KSBW details California’s first-in-nation requirement to add folic acid to corn masa used in tortillas, with Alabama following in June and more states considering similar rules. TIA’s Jim Kabbani said broader fortification adoption now looks inevitable.
Mama Grande Tortilla Factory of Mission, Texas, recalled Gorditas de Azucar and Doraditas de Azucar on March 17, 2026, for undeclared wheat and soy after an FDA inspection. Products shipped Feb. 2–March 5 to Texas retail and wholesale; no illnesses were reported.
Mexico’s National Antimonopoly Commission accepted GRUMA remedies to reopen competition in bulk corn masa flour: end exclusivity and minimum-purchase clauses, and cede tortilladoras/batidoras tied to support contracts. Proposed plant divestitures were dropped.
California’s AB 1830 folic acid rule treats wet nixtamal masa differently from dry corn masa flour. Traditional wet-masa tortilla makers are not required to fortify, but they do need a clear wet-process declaration on labels—and plants that use masa harina must use fortified flour and update Nutrition Facts and ingredients.
El Mirasol, Inc., of Plant City, Fla., voluntarily recalled Tortilla de Harina lots for undeclared wheat. FDA classified the recall Class II around June 17, 2024; about 50 cases (Florida only) were affected.
Cardona Foods of Fort Worth, Texas, recalled about 9,302 cases of uncooked foodservice flour tortillas after undeclared milk (whey) and undeclared lard were found. FDA Class II enforcement report F-1155-2024 covers restaurant distribution in Texas and one Oklahoma location.
FDA’s April 4, 2024, warning letter to Hacienda Mexican Foods LLC (Detroit) cites serious CGMP and Preventive Controls failures at an RTE soft flour tortilla plant inspected April 3–21, 2023, including environmental pathogen gaps, pests, and a false “Soy Free” claim on soy-shortening products.
