What flour is not sprayed with folic acid? A guide to unfortified options

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

In the U.S. and many other countries, enriched flour is mandatorily fortified with folic acid to prevent neural tube defects. However, consumers seeking alternatives often ask what flour is not sprayed with folic acid, leading them to organic, whole grain, and specific specialty flours.

Quick Summary

This article identifies flour options without added folic acid, focusing on organic, whole grain, and specific non-wheat varieties. It explains how to interpret food labels and provides key facts for making informed dietary choices.

Key Points

Check for Organic Certification: A certified organic label is a strong indicator that flour is not fortified with synthetic folic acid due to organic regulations.
Read the Nutrition Panel: Look for the parenthetical micrograms (mcg) of folic acid next to the %DV for folate; its absence means no synthetic folic acid was added.
Explore Whole Grain Options: Most whole grain flours retain their natural folate and are not fortified, especially if stone-milled.
Consider Non-Wheat Flours: Rye, rice, and specialty flours often fall outside mandatory fortification rules, but checking the label is still crucial.
Look for 'Enriched' on the Label: The term 'enriched' on conventional flour bags signifies the addition of folic acid and other synthetic nutrients.
Research Specific Brands: Some mainstream brands, like King Arthur Baking's retail wheat flours, explicitly state they do not fortify their products.

Understanding Folic Acid in Flour

For decades, public health campaigns have advocated for the fortification of grain products, such as flour, with synthetic folic acid to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida and anencephaly in babies. In countries with mandatory fortification, like the U.S., Canada, and Australia, most standard, non-organic wheat flour is enriched with synthetic B vitamins and iron, including folic acid. The fortification is intended as a public health measure, ensuring a baseline intake for women of childbearing age, many of whom have unplanned pregnancies.

However, this widespread practice has led to increased public awareness and questions from individuals who wish to avoid synthetic vitamins or manage their overall folate intake. This is where unfortified options become important. The key difference lies between folate, the naturally occurring B vitamin (B9), and folic acid, its synthetic counterpart. While fortification is a proven intervention for reducing NTDs, unfortified flours allow for a diet free of these specific synthetic additives.

Unfortified Flour Options and Where to Find Them

For those seeking flour without added folic acid, several options are available. The two primary categories are certified organic flours and specialty or whole grain products.

Certified Organic Flours

Certified Organic flour is one of the most reliable ways to ensure a product is not fortified with synthetic folic acid. By definition, certified organic products must be produced without synthetic additives, including folic acid. This is why organic flour is often explicitly listed as unfortified, even in countries with mandatory fortification laws.

How to identify: Look for the certified organic logo (like USDA Organic) on the packaging. Brands such as King Arthur's Organic All-Purpose Flour and various products from Kialla Pure Foods are noted for being unfortified.
Considerations: While organic flour offers a clean, additive-free option, it's important to remember that the natural folate levels in wheat are primarily in the germ and bran. Refined organic flour will still have lower natural folate than whole grain alternatives.

Whole Grain and Stone-Milled Flours

Whole grain flours, regardless of organic status, naturally contain the entire wheat kernel—bran, germ, and endosperm. Since the germ and bran are the most nutrient-dense parts of the grain, whole grain flours naturally contain higher levels of the B vitamin folate. Unless it states 'enriched' or 'fortified,' whole grain flour is often sold unfortified, as there is less nutritional justification to add back nutrients that were not removed in the first place.

Stone-milled difference: Stone-milling is a traditional process that grinds the whole grain slowly, retaining more of the germ and natural nutrients compared to modern roller mills. Stone-ground whole grain flours are excellent unfortified options. Brands like Organic Flour Mills in New Zealand offer a variety of organic whole grain and stone-milled flours.

Specialty and Non-Wheat Flours

Fortification regulations typically target wheat and maize flour intended for breadmaking. This means other types of flour often fall outside these mandatory rules, although voluntary fortification is possible.

Common unfortified types: Check specialty flours like rye flour, rice flour, corn flour (unless labeled as fortified corn masa), and ancient grain flours (einkorn, spelt). Many international brands sold in specialty stores may also not be subject to local fortification mandates.
Always check the label: Voluntary fortification is common, especially with major brands. The only way to be sure is to check the ingredient list and the nutrition facts panel.

How to Read a Flour Label for Folic Acid

Knowing how to correctly interpret a flour package is the most reliable method for finding an unfortified product. Follow these steps when shopping:

Read the Ingredient List: Look for the term "enriched" or "fortified." If it is present, it will typically be followed by a list of added nutrients, including "folic acid". If the ingredient list only says "wheat flour," it's more likely unfortified, but always double-check the nutrition panel.
Examine the Nutrition Facts Panel: The U.S. FDA offers a clear way to identify added folic acid. If the label lists the amount of folic acid in micrograms (mcg) in parentheses next to the % Daily Value (DV) for folate, the product contains added folic acid. If the parenthetical value is not listed, the flour has not been fortified with synthetic folic acid.

Comparison: Fortified vs. Unfortified Flour


Feature	Fortified/Enriched Flour	Unfortified Flour
Processing	Generally refined, then nutrients added back.	Can be refined (organic) or whole grain. Minimal processing.
Nutrients	Synthetic B vitamins (including folic acid), iron added.	Contains only naturally occurring nutrients, including folate.
Regulation	Mandatory fortification in some countries, for public health goals.	Exempt from fortification, often due to organic status or being a specialty grain.
Labeling	Lists "enriched" and "folic acid" in ingredient list. Folic acid mcg shown in nutrition panel.	Ingredient list avoids "enriched" or "fortified." Folate is from natural sources.
Typical Uses	Most conventional breads, pastas, and baked goods.	Artisan breads, home baking, specialty recipes.
Target Audience	General population for public health.	Health-conscious consumers, those managing specific health conditions, or those avoiding synthetic additives.

Finding a Suitable Alternative

Identifying what flour is not sprayed with folic acid requires attention to labels and knowledge of different flour types. For those avoiding synthetic vitamins, organic flour is a reliable choice, but even non-organic whole grain flour often does not undergo artificial fortification. Brands like King Arthur, Bob's Red Mill (Organic), and others specializing in heritage or stone-milled grains are good places to start looking. In a world of increasing dietary transparency, finding the right flour for your needs is more accessible than ever.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for dietary advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while most refined wheat flour is mandatorily fortified in the U.S., flours like certified organic varieties, 100% whole grain flours, and certain specialty flours (e.g., rye or rice) are often not fortified.

Check the nutrition facts panel. The U.S. FDA requires the amount of synthetic folic acid to be listed in micrograms (mcg) in parentheses next to the % Daily Value for folate. You can also check the ingredient list for the term 'enriched' or 'folic acid'.

Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9 found in foods like leafy greens and whole grains, while folic acid is the synthetic, man-made version that is more stable and is added to fortified foods.

For the most part, yes. Regulations for organic certification often prohibit the use of synthetic additives, including folic acid, making certified organic flour a reliable unfortified option.

Not necessarily. Mandatory fortification rules often focus on wheat flour intended for breadmaking. Many non-wheat flours, particularly if they are whole grain or organic, are unfortified, but it is always best to check the label for confirmation.

Brands known to offer unfortified options include King Arthur Baking (specifically their organic and retail wheat flours) and certified organic flour mills like Kialla Pure Foods or Organic Flour Mills NZ. Some specialty flour distributors also carry unfortified varieties.

Yes, many foods naturally contain high levels of folate, including eggs, legumes, beef liver, and green leafy vegetables like spinach and asparagus. A balanced diet can provide sufficient folate.