To the editor: Columnist Gustavo Arellano's support for culinary tradition over health only risks increasing inequality for Latino babies because they have a higher rate of neural tube defects. (“California wants to require folic acid in tortillas to help babies. Why that's bad,” column, May 22)
In this case, nixtamalization (the traditional method of making tortillas) without adding folic acid does not promote “older, tastier and healthier forms.” He's taking a chance on the next generation so Arellanos' older relatives can have tortillas “that taste like they should.”
Victoria I. Paterno, MD, Los Angeles
The writer is a retired pediatrician.
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To the editor: Some quick research reveals excellent sources of folic acid. Eating lime and corn (ingredients in tortillas), along with beans, avocados and plantains (all quite common in Latino families) should be more than adequate to maintain good health.
Why the folate mandate? Don't mess with the dough.
Allan V. Peña, San Pedro
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To the editor: Arellano sounds like a constitutionalist arguing: “This is how it was in the beginning, this is how it is now, and this is how it should be.” I seriously doubt that's the same as you feel on other issues, but it sure is that way on this one.
As someone who had never tried a tortilla until I first came to California on a trip in 1951 and didn't try another until I moved here in 1966, I would be the first to admit that I know little or nothing about the qualities of a good one. And while I can't think of a good analogy for something I might be aware of (something in my own life that I passionately love and would hate to see change), I think I can feel and understand Arellano and others' feelings on the matter.
This still doesn't change the fact that things are changing for the better, regardless of the arguments we may make against it.
John Snyder, Newbury Park
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To the editor: The answer to this dilemma is simple. Taquerias and tortillerias that wish to exclude folic acid from their products must simply give the customer a folic acid capsule with each order.
Glenn Rogers, South Pasadena
