Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service finalized new regulations updating the food packages prescribed to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC. WIC was established in 1974 to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.
The food package changes incorporate certain recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and aim to better align the WIC packages with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). USDA also affirmed the revisions will promote nutrition security and equity.
Overall, the revisions aim to provide WIC participants with a wider variety of balanced choices (to reflect personal and cultural preferences), to expand flexibility for state agencies, and to address key nutritional needs of WIC participants. They also emphasize the supplemental nature of the food packages, ensuring that included foods do not 1) contribute to excessive consumption of nutrients linked to increased risk of obesity and chronic disease, and 2) displace key positive nutrients.
WINNERS:
- Fruits and vegetables – in all forms: The final rule permanently increases the monthly allowance for cash value vouchers used to purchase fruits and vegetables, requires state agencies to authorize at least one form (e.g., canned, frozen) in addition to fresh, and requires vendors to stock at least three varieties of vegetables.
- Milk alternatives: The revised packages allow plant-based yogurts and cheeses to substitute for milk, provided they meet added sugars limits. Lactose-free milk also now must be authorized by state agencies.
- Whole grain cereals: The new packages enforce a stricter whole grain component, requiring 75% of authorized breakfast cereals to meet whole grain criteria. Whole grain options also were expanded so that participants have access to quinoa, teff, wild rice, millet, corn meal, whole wheat naan, and more options.
- Fish: The food packages for children, pregnant and postpartum, and breastfeeding participants add 6, 10, and 15 ounces respectively of canned fish to the monthly allowance, expanding opportunities for increased intake of light tuna, chub mackerel, salmon, sardines, and Atlantic mackerel.
- Nut and seed butters: Consistent with DGA recommendations, the WIC packages now include peanut butter plus the option to substitute other nut and seed butters for peanut butter.
LOSERS:
- Juice: The maximum monthly allowance for 100% juice was reduced to 64 fluid ounces, about a half-gallon less than the previous package. USDA considered the previous allowance to exceed recommended daily juice limits for a healthy diet, and noted that juice is lower in fiber than fruits and vegetables.
- Some dairy products: The maximum monthly allowance for fluid milk was reduced to provide 71-96% of the recommended amount of dairy, compared to up to 128% provided by the previous package. Like juice, USDA determined the former amounts were inconsistent with the program’s supplementary intent. Additionally, cheese was removed as a food category from the fully breastfeeding package to reduce saturated fat intakes.
- Foods higher in added sugars: Consistent with broader U.S. nutrition labeling updates, the new food packages change previous total sugar limits to added sugar limits for yogurts and breakfast cereals.
The WIC package revisions offer several opportunities to engage with the program. Some strategies for food companies include:
- Understand what foods and beverages in your portfolio meet WIC food package requirements, and explore procurement opportunities.
- Ensure qualifying foods are sold at authorized food vendors and farmers markets nationwide.
- Engage state agencies to include qualifying product examples on food lists and other program educational materials.
- Communicate WIC program engagement as part of organizational nutrition efforts to increase access to and affordability of healthy foods.
To learn more about the WIC program, food package changes, and implications for your organization, contact Global Food IQ.
