What Grains Are Fortified with Folate?

January 8, 2026 •

3 min read

Since 1998, the U.S. has mandated that manufacturers add folic acid to enriched grain products, a public health initiative designed to significantly increase folic acid consumption. This widespread fortification has effectively lowered the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns across the country.

Quick Summary

Enriched flour, bread, pasta, and white rice are mandatorily fortified with folic acid in many countries. Fortification is a public health strategy to increase the intake of this essential B vitamin, which is critical for cell growth and especially important during pregnancy. Consumers should look for the term 'enriched' on product labels to identify these fortified grain products.

Key Points

Enriched Grains are Fortified: Most fortified grains are explicitly labeled 'enriched,' signifying the addition of folic acid and other B vitamins.
Common Fortified Products: Key fortified grains include enriched white flour, pasta, white rice, cornmeal, and many breakfast cereals.
Different from Whole Grains: Whole grain products are not typically fortified, although they contain naturally occurring folate, and are required to contain the entire grain kernel.
A Public Health Success: Fortification is a successful public health initiative aimed at preventing neural tube birth defects by increasing the population's baseline folic acid intake.
Check the Label: To confirm if a grain is fortified, look for the word 'enriched' and check the Nutrition Facts panel for folic acid content.
Higher Bioavailability: Folic acid added to fortified foods is more easily absorbed by the body than the natural folate found in other foods.

Folate, a vital B vitamin, has a synthetic form called folic acid, which is commonly added to staple grains as a public health measure. This fortification process is an efficient method to increase folic acid intake across the population without relying solely on supplements. Folic acid's stability during storage and cooking makes it ideal for food fortification compared to natural folate. Fortification programs primarily target foods made from refined flours.

Key Grains Fortified with Folate

In many nations, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, the fortification of certain grains with folic acid is standard practice or mandated. This involves adding nutrients to grain products after processing. Below are commonly fortified grains:

Enriched Wheat Flour: A base for numerous baked goods such as bread and rolls, contributing significantly to dietary folate intake.
Enriched Pasta and Noodles: White flour-based pasta products are often fortified with folic acid and other B vitamins.
Enriched White Rice: Many white rice products are also fortified, though consumers should verify this on the packaging.
Enriched Cornmeal: Used in various corn-based foods, this is another key fortified grain. Voluntary fortification of corn masa flour is also permitted.
Fortified Breakfast Cereals: Numerous breakfast cereals, especially those from refined grains, are fortified and can provide a significant portion or even all of the daily recommended folic acid.

The Difference Between Enriched and Whole Grains

Understanding the difference between 'enriched' and 'whole grain' products is important. 'Enriched' means nutrients, including folic acid, have been added back after processing. Whole grains, while containing natural nutrients, are not mandated to be fortified with folic acid under FDA regulations. Although some whole grains have natural folate, added folic acid in enriched products has higher bioavailability. Products without the 'enriched' label typically do not have added folic acid.

How to Identify Fortified Grains

Identifying fortified grains is simple by checking product labels:

Look for "Enriched": This term on the packaging indicates added folic acid and other B vitamins.
Check Ingredients: Folic acid will be listed along with other added nutrients.
Read the Nutrition Facts Label: The label shows folate content in mcg DFE. For fortified items, the amount of folic acid in micrograms may be specified in parentheses.

Why Fortification is a Public Health Priority

The main goal of mandatory folic acid fortification is to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), serious birth defects affecting the brain and spine. Since these occur very early in pregnancy, universal fortification helps ensure women of childbearing age have adequate folic acid intake, even if a pregnancy is unplanned. Fortification programs have been shown to significantly decrease NTD rates. While supplements are still advised for those planning pregnancy, fortification provides a crucial safety net.

Making Informed Grain Choices

Knowing which grains are fortified helps you make informed dietary choices. You can select enriched products for their folic acid content or choose whole grains for their natural nutrients and fiber. A balanced diet often includes both. Always check labels and nutritional information to confirm fortification and nutrient levels.


Feature	Fortified/Enriched Grains	Whole Grains
Processing	Refined, with bran and germ removed.	Includes the entire grain kernel: bran, germ, and endosperm.
Key Nutrient	Folic acid added after processing.	Naturally occurring folate and other nutrients.
Bioavailability	Higher bioavailability of added folic acid.	Lower bioavailability of natural folate.
Fiber Content	Lower fiber content.	Higher fiber content.
Labeling	Clearly marked as "enriched" or with folic acid listed in ingredients.	Labeled as "whole grain".

Conclusion

Folic acid fortification is a highly effective public health strategy that has boosted folate intake and reduced neural tube defects. Commonly fortified grains include enriched wheat flour, white rice, pasta, and cornmeal. Unlike enriched grains, whole grains are not typically fortified. By checking labels for 'enriched' and identifying folic acid in the ingredients, consumers can easily find fortified grain products to support their intake of this essential B vitamin. Understanding fortification helps individuals make better nutritional choices.

Learn more about folate and folic acid on the FDA's website

Frequently Asked Questions

Folate is the water-soluble B vitamin (B9) that is found naturally in foods like leafy greens, beans, and fruits. Folic acid is the synthetic, more stable form of folate that is added to fortified foods and supplements.

Fortification is a public health strategy primarily used to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns. Since many pregnancies are unplanned, fortifying widely consumed grains helps ensure women of childbearing age have a sufficient intake of this vital nutrient.

Look for the term 'enriched' on the product packaging, such as 'enriched wheat flour.' The ingredients list will also specifically mention 'folic acid'.

No, whole grain products are not required to be fortified with folic acid. The fortification regulations apply to enriched (refined) grain products. However, some whole grains naturally contain folate.

Yes, folic acid is highly bioavailable. Studies show that the body absorbs folic acid from fortified foods more efficiently than the natural folate found in other foods.

While the level in fortified grains is generally safe, excessive intake primarily from high-dose supplements can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. A balanced diet incorporating both natural and fortified sources is recommended.

Excellent natural sources of folate include leafy green vegetables like spinach, asparagus, beans and legumes (e.g., black-eyed peas, lentils), and citrus fruits.