¡Al grano!: ¿qué marcas de harinas incumplen con la normativa de fortificación mexicana?

The report finds a widespread failure in the Mexican flour industry to adhere to mandatory fortification laws, with only 7% of tested pre-packaged flours meeting both nutrient level and iron-compound requirements. Maize flour, which holds 72% of the cereal market share, is particularly critical as no tested brands were adequately fortified. The study highlights that even government-distributed flours for vulnerable populations, such as those from Diconsa and DIF Chiapas, fail to meet legal standards. The authors argue that the industry's negligence exacerbates 'hidden hunger' and anemia, and they call for the Mexican government to implement stricter monitoring and sanctions.

• Only 7% (4 out of 61) of pre-packaged wheat and maize flours were found to be adequately fortified, meaning they met minimum iron and zinc levels and used recommended iron compounds.
• No maize flour brands tested were adequately fortified, a significant failure given that maize accounts for 72% of the cereal market share in Mexico.
• Government-distributed flours intended for vulnerable populations are non-compliant: Diconsa maize flour had only half the required iron level, and DIF Chiapas maize flour (produced by Minsa) was not fortified at all.
• Many companies use iron compounds with low bioavailability, such as electrolytic iron, which is not recommended by Mexican law or WHO guidelines for nixtamalized maize flour.
• Imported flour brands, including Bob’s Red Mill and Le 5 Stagioni, were found to be completely unfortified, ignoring Mexican legislation.
• The report identifies a lack of consistency in production processes within the same companies; for example, Munsa produces both well-fortified (Río Lerma) and severely under-fortified (Castilla and Superior) brands.
• Climate change is linked to micronutrient deficiencies as increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels can reduce essential nutrients like iron and zinc in staple crops such as wheat, rice, and legumes.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2019). ¡Al grano!: ¿qué marcas de harinas incumplen con la normativa de fortificación mexicana? https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Al-Grano-Spanish-web-double-page.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. ¡Al grano!: ¿qué marcas de harinas incumplen con la normativa de fortificación mexicana? 2019. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Al-Grano-Spanish-web-double-page.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=¡Al grano!: ¿qué marcas de harinas incumplen con la normativa de fortificación mexicana? |date=February 2019 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Al-Grano-Spanish-web-double-page.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2019grano, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{¡Al grano!: ¿qué marcas de harinas incumplen con la normativa de fortificación mexicana?}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2019}, month = feb, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Al-Grano-Spanish-web-double-page.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }