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HB 337

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FOLIC ACID FORTIFICATION.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 16 co-sponsors

HB 337 would require fortifying certain foods with folic acid to reduce neural tube defects and outline standards, timelines, labeling, and enforcement.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Bill Summary · HB 337

Summary of HB 337 (Session 153, Delaware)

Title

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FOLIC ACID FORTIFICATION

Purpose and Intent

HB 337 proposes amendments to Delaware’s Title 16 governing health and safety to address folic acid fortification. While the bill text is not provided here, the title indicates the measure seeks to modify state law to require or regulate the fortification of certain foods with folic acid, or to adjust standards, labeling, implementation timelines, or related public health provisions tied to folic acid fortification.

Key Provisions (as typically associated with folic acid fortification bills)

Note: The following points reflect common elements of folic acid fortification legislation. The exact language of HB 337 would determine precise requirements and exemptions.

  • Fortification Requirements: Establishes or revises requirements for adding folic acid to certain food products (e.g., enriched grain products or other staple foods) to reduce neural tube defect risk in newborns.
  • Target Foods: Identifies which foods are subject to fortification (such as enriched breads, cereals, grains, or other grain-based products) or allows for optional/alternative fortification standards.
  • Fortification Standards: Specifies minimum folic acid concentrations (e.g., micrograms per serving or per kilogram) and compliance criteria.
  • Timing and Phasing: Sets effective dates for when fortification must commence, with potential phased implementation for manufacturers.
  • Labeling and Disclosure: Requires labeling to indicate folic acid content or to meet dietary fortification notices; may include consumer-facing information or warnings about allergies or sensitivities.
  • Safety and Monitoring: Establishes oversight mechanisms, reporting requirements, adverse event monitoring, and public health data collection to assess impact.
  • Exemption and Flexibility: Provides exemptions for small businesses, traditional/antique products, or products not feasible for fortification, with alternative compliance paths.
  • Enforcement and Penalties: Outlines penalties for non-compliance and the agency responsible for enforcement (likely a state health department or related regulatory body).
  • Relationship to State Health Goals: Connects fortification effort to broader maternal and child health objectives, reducing neural tube defects and improving prenatal health.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Food Manufacturers and Retailers: Producers and sellers of fortified foods would need to comply with fortification standards, labeling, and reporting requirements.
  • Public Health System: Potential reduction in neural tube defect incidence, contributing to better maternal and infant health outcomes; requires monitoring and data collection.
  • Consumers: Access to fortified foods; information on folic acid content; potential pricing or product formulation changes.
  • Small Businesses: Possible exemptions or scaled requirements to ease regulatory burden.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Intro and Committee Assignment: Introduced and assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee (April 9, 2026).
  • Committee Action: Reported out of committee with 9 in favor and 3 on its merit (April 15, 2026), indicating favorable movement toward floor consideration.
  • Subsequent Steps: If advancing, the bill would proceed to the full House for debate and vote, then potentially to the Senate, and onward to the governor for signature or veto.
  • Effective Date: The bill would specify an effective date for provisions; if not immediate, there may be a staged implementation period.

Sponsor and Support

  • Co-sponsors: A broad slate of legislators (including Mara Gorman and others listed) indicating bipartisan or cross-chamber interest in fortification and public health benefits.

Notes

  • The summary above reflects typical elements of folic acid fortification legislation and the information provided in the bill overview. For precise requirements, timelines, exemptions, and enforcement details, the exact text of HB 337 should be consulted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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