Why is Corn Not Used as a Flour Staple in the US?

Availability

What are some of the most important staple food crops?

Cassava, maize, plantains, potatoes, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sweet potatoes, wheat and yams are some of the most important staple food crops consumed around the world, according to the National Geographic Society on nationalgeographic.org from September 2, 2022. The most widely consumed staple crops vary by region, with rice being the most commonly consumed food crop in Asia and wheat being the most common in Europe.

What is the FDA's approval for corn masa flour?

The FDA has approved the fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid, a nutrient important for prenatal health. This will help ensure access to a staple food for many Latin Americans in the United States. Sourced from the FDA, this fortification will make corn masa flour a healthier choice for those who rely on it as a dietary staple. Research suggests that folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects if taken before and during early pregnancy.

What are the benefits of food fortification?

Fortification is a practice of deliberately increasing micronutrients in food or condiments to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide public health benefits with minimal risk to health, as demonstrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) on who.int/health-topics/food-fortification in 2022. This practice is beneficial for both improving nutrient content of staple foods and providing an additional source of important vitamins and minerals for those with limited access to a balanced diet.

Cost

What is cornmeal?

Cornmeal is a type of coarse flour or cell membrane ground from dried corn, which is a common staple food and is available in different consistencies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is widely used in many countries for making bread, porridge, and other dishes. [1] it is sometimes used as a coating for fried foods such as fish or chicken. [2] It is also known to be an important source of dietary fiber and essential minerals including iron, magnesium, and zinc. [3]

What is food fortification?

Fortification is a practice of increasing the micronutrient content of food or condiments to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide public health benefits, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on who.int/health-topics/food-fortification. Fortifying staple foods can help to reduce nutrient deficiencies and improve overall public health.

Can developing a native staple food help reduce pest control costs and increase beneficial species habitat?

Australia should develop a native staple food to reduce the cost of pest control and increase habitat for beneficial species. According to The Conversation, this could contribute indirectly to the value of the country's agricultural exports in the long term. Research has shown that native staple foods are associated with improved health outcomes and greater cultural connection to place.

Nutritional Value

What countries are leading in corn production?

Corn is the world's leading crop, with the United States producing the majority of it. China, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina also contribute significantly to global corn production. Sourced from National Geographic Society, corn is used in a variety of ways and is a staple food in many cultures. Corn is also used to create biofuels and other industrial products.

How can I incorporate corn into meals?

Corn is a great choice for a nutritious meal, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Cited from Mayo Clinic Health System, roasting corn in the oven until it begins to caramelize is an easy way to incorporate it into meals. When added to a soup pot with oil, onion, carrots, celery and garlic, it creates a delicious and healthy dish. Corn contains dietary fiber, which helps promote digestion.

Is corn a healthy addition to the diet?

Corn can be a healthy addition to your diet, as it is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, thiamine, folate, magnesium, and potassium. According to Healthline, corn contains 4.6 grams of fiber, 17% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C, 24% of the DV of thiamine, 19% of the DV of folate, 11% of the DV of magnesium, and 10% of the DV of potassium. Corn is low in fat and cholesterol-free.

Processing Requirements

What countries are the largest producers of corn?

Corn is a major agricultural commodity, with the United States being the world’s largest producer, according to National Geographic Society, May 20th, 2022. Along with China, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, these countries produce the majority of the world’s corn, which is used for a variety of purposes. Corn byproducts are used in many products such as beer and cereal.

What is the purpose of maize flour and corn meal?

Maize flour and corn meal are widely used in various food technologies for processing, human consumption, livestock feed, and fuel around the world. As reported by a study published by the New York Academy of Sciences in 2013, these food products can be processed into precooked refined maize flour, dehydrated nixtamalized flour, and fermented maize flours. Corn is the cereal with the highest production worldwide.

Why is wheat flour often added to corn flour?

Corn flour is a major ingredient in food aid programs and is used to produce lighter and more aerated products, such as corn bread. According to ScienceDirect Topics, corn proteins do not form gluten upon hydration and mixing, so wheat flour is often added in order to provide the desired texture. Too much wheat flour can diminish the corn flavor.

Allergenicity

What is the largest corn producer in the world?

Corn is a popular food staple due to its ease of storage and multiple uses, as evidenced by the fact that the United States is the world’s largest corn producer, accounting for more than 40 percent of the world’s corn. China, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina also produce large amounts of corn. Cornmeal is a ground, dried form of corn. Corn is used in a variety of different dishes and recipes around the world.

How will fortifying corn masa flour with folic acid improve nutrition?

The FDA has approved the fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid, a critical nutrient for fetal health, in 2021. This will improve nutrition for many Latin Americans who make up a significant portion of the U.S. population and rely on corn masa flour as a staple food. Folic acid helps prevent certain neural tube defects in unborn babies when taken in adequate amounts during pregnancy.

What nutritional benefits does corn provide?

Corn is a healthy food with several nutritional benefits, including providing dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. As indicated by the USDA, one cup of corn provides more than 4 grams of dietary fiber and provides 20% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. Corn is a good source of manganese, phosphorous and magnesium. It is important to note that corn can also have high levels of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), so it is important to buy organic when possible.

Taste

What is corn?

Corn (Zea mays) is a cereal plant of the grass family (Poaceae) with an edible grain that was first domesticated by native peoples. It is widely used as livestock feed, as human food, as biofuel, and as raw material in industry. As stated by Britannica, corn was first domesticated by native peoples in the Americas in 2023. It is now one of the world's most widely distributed food crops.

Has the FDA approved the fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid?

The FDA has approved the fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid, a nutrient important for preventing certain birth defects, to aid Latin American communities in the United States. On fda.gov in 2020, the FDA noted that corn masa flour can be used to make tortillas and other staples of Latin American cuisine. Folic acid is essential for pregnant women due to its role in preventing neural tube defects in newborns.

What is corn flour?

Corn flour is a type of gluten-free flour with a sweet and earthy flavor, which can come in yellow, white or blue. It has a fine and smooth texture, and is often used for baking, breading, and as a thickening agent. Cited from Cooking Chew (2021), corn flour is different than cornmeal and is used in a variety of dishes. Corn flour is also high in dietary fiber and protein.

Shelf Life

How has the war in Ukraine affected cornflour?

The war in Ukraine has caused a shortage of cornflour, as it is made from corn kernels. Cited on Daily Mail Online, this has caused problems for people with gluten intolerance who use cornflour as a gluten-free alternative to flour for baking. Cornflour is a key ingredient in many processed foods, such as gravies and sauces.

Has the FDA approved the fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid?

The FDA has approved the fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid to help prevent birth defects, as announced on FDA.gov in 2020. Corn masa flour is a staple food for many Latin Americans, and can be used to make popular dishes such as tortillas. Folic acid is an important nutrient, as it helps the body make healthy new cells and is especially important during pregnancy.

Can northern flour be used for cornbread?

Northern flour is not suitable for making cornbread due to its lack of sweetness compared to Southern flour, which traditionally features nearly equal amounts of cornmeal and wheat. This was the result of the heat and humidity of the South, which prevented wheat and rye from being kept well. Jan 17, 2023, Fourway Memphis | Cornbread was originally a staple of Southern cuisine, first made by native Americans before Europeans arrived in North America.

Storage

Where is corn produced?

Corn is a widely produced food staple, with the United States producing over 40% of the world's corn. As reported by the National Geographic Society, China, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina also produce large amounts of corn. Corn is used in a variety of dishes and is an important part of many diets around the world. It is also used in a variety of products such as ethanol, corn syrup, and many other processed foods.

Will cornflour be gone forever?

Cornflour shortages have hit UK supermarkets and could be gone forever, according to an article on The Sun Money, published in November 2022. Cornflour is made by removing the skin and germ from the corn before extracting and drying the starchy liquid and then finely grinding it. This is a key ingredient in many British cooking staples.

What grains are important?

Grain is the harvested seed of grasses such as wheat, oats, rice, and corn, as well as sorghum, millet, rye, and barley, according to the National Geographic Society in July 2022. Other important grains include quinoa and buckwheat. Grains are the most commonly consumed food around the world.

Cultural Acceptance

What are the most widely consumed grains?

Grains are a staple food that can be eaten fresh or stored for later use and are a dietary essential in virtually every culture on Earth. As stated by the National Geographic Society, rice, corn, and wheat are the three most widely consumed grains in the world. Grains can be used to make items such as bread, rice, and tortillas.

What is cornmeal?

Cornmeal is a common staple food made from ground dried corn, usually coarsely but sometimes finely ground, and can be used to make corn flour. It is available in different consistencies, such as coarse, medium, and fine. From Wikipedia, cornmeal is sometimes soaked in an alkaline solution to produce a finer meal known as corn flour. Cornmeal has a long history of use as a traditional ingredient in many cultures around the world.

What are the benefits of adding folic acid to corn masa flour?

The FDA has approved the addition of folic acid to corn masa flour, a staple food for many Latin Americans, to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects. On fda.gov in 2020, the FDA stated that this fortification will help protect pregnant women and their babies from preventable birth defects. Folic acid is a B-vitamin important for normal development of the baby's brain and spine during pregnancy.

Versatility

What are food staples composed of?

Food staples are typically composed of grains such as rice, corn (maize) and wheat, millet and sorghum, tubers like potatoes, cassava, yams and taro, and animal products including meat, fish and dairy. This is according to the National Geographic Society on nationalgeographic.org in 2022. Many food staples are native to the region in which they are consumed.

What is cornmeal?

Cornmeal is a coarse flour or cell membrane ground from dried corn, usually ground to coarse, medium, and fine consistencies. Attributed to Wikipedia, it is a common staple food in many parts of the world and can also be finely ground into corn flour. Cornmeal has been used in traditional food preparation for centuries, especially in South American cuisine.

What staple crops did Native Americans develop?

Native Americans developed a variety of staple crops, including corn, which was introduced to Europe in 1494 and spread with the expansion of European colonization. As stated by HISTORY, these crops included maize, squash, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, peanuts, sunflowers, and chocolate. Native Americans also developed several agricultural techniques such as terrace gardening, crop rotation, and companion planting.

Source:

• Nationalgeographic : Staple Food Crops, the World, National Geographic Society.
• Wikipedia : Cornmeal - Wikipedia.
• Nationalgeographic : Food Staple, National Geographic Society.
• Wiley : maize flour, corn meal food products.
• Fda : FDA, folic acid fortification, corn masa flour.