How were the WIC-eligible foods chosen for the program?
The WIC food packages provide supplemental foods designed to meet the special nutritional needs of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk. In September 2003, FNS contracted with the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine (IOM) to independently review the WIC Food Packages. FNS charged the IOM with reviewing the nutritional needs of the WIC population, and recommending cost-neutral changes to the WIC food packages. The IOM selected a Committee of experts in nutrition, health, risk assessment, and economics to conduct this review. In making its recommendations, the IOM considered nutrient intakes and dietary patterns, the major diet-related health problems and risks faced by WIC’s target population, the characteristics of the WIC Program, and the diversity of its participants. The food packages align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

How do the food packages appeal to WIC’s culturally diverse populations?
The food packages provide participant choice and variety. Foods such as tortillas, brown rice, soy-based beverage, canned salmon, and a wide choice of fruits and vegetables provide State agencies flexibility in prescribing culturally appropriate food packages.

How do the food packages support breastfeeding? 
The food packages for breastfeeding infant-mother pairs provide incentives for continued breastfeeding. For example, the food package for fully breastfeeding women provides greater amounts of foods, including a higher dollar value for fruits and vegetables. Fully breastfeeding infants receive baby food meats in addition to greater amounts of baby food fruits and vegetables. Less infant formula is provided to partially breastfeeding infants so that they may receive the benefits of breastmilk. A minimal amount of infant formula is provided to partially breastfeeding infants in the first month after birth in order to help mothers build and maintain their milk production.

Is there a list of all WIC-eligible foods available? 
Although Federal regulations specify the minimum nutritional requirements for the WIC foods, State agencies have a considerable amount of latitude in determining which foods to include on State authorized foods lists. State agencies make such decisions based on participant acceptance, product distribution within a State, cost, and administrative feasibility. Because State agencies are required to identify WIC-eligible foods, which vary from State to State, there is no consolidated list available. Due to the large number of locally and regionally available foods, including store brands and generics, and the frequent changes in formulation of foods by manufacturers, it is administratively difficult to maintain a national list of all possible WIC-eligible foods.

Are organic foods WIC-eligible? 
Some organic forms of WIC-eligible foods (e.g., milk, eggs, cheese) meet the nutritional requirements set forth in WIC regulations and are therefore authorized.  However, WIC State agencies are responsible for determining the brands and types of foods to authorize on their State WIC food lists.  Some State agencies may allow organic foods on their foods lists, but this will vary by State.  The decision may be influenced by a number of factors such as cost, product distribution within a State, and WIC participant acceptance.

Organic fruits and vegetables purchased via the WIC cash-value voucher are authorized; there is not State discretion to disallow them. The cash-value voucher may be redeemed for any WIC-eligible fruit and vegetable.

How does the WIC food package account for participants who have food allergies/intolerances? 
The WIC Program works hard to serve a large population that has various nutritional needs, including food allergies/intolerances. However, the foods eligible for the WIC food packages must meet nutritional requirements set by Federal regulations. If a participant has food allergies, WIC staff may tailor food packages to better meet the participant’s individual needs. Types and quantities of foods in the food package may be adjusted to meet individual dietary needs. For example, if a child on WIC is allergic to peanut butter, dried beans/peas may be substituted for the peanut butter. If a pregnant woman on WIC is lactose-intolerant, lactose-reduced milk or soy-based beverage may be substituted. If an infant on WIC has a medical condition requiring an exempt infant formula, the participant may receive such a formula with appropriate medical documentation.

Are artificial sweeteners allowed? 
Federal WIC regulations do not prohibit foods that contain artificial sweeteners. However, WIC State agencies are responsible for determining the brands and types of foods to authorize on their State WIC food lists.  Some State agencies may allow foods sweetened with artificial sweeteners on their foods lists, but this will vary by State. 

Can State agencies authorize package sizes that do not evenly divide into the maximum monthly allowance of a WIC food? 
State agencies must authorize container sizes that provide the full maximum monthly allowances of authorized supplemental foods on the State food list.  The only exception is for an infant food or formula since rounding up is authorized in order to provide the full nutritional benefit for infants. However, in order to provide variety and choice FNS will allow State agencies the option to also authorize package sizes that provide less than the maximum allowance provided the nutritional integrity of the food package is not compromised.  For example, a 15.5-ounce can of beans can be authorized as long as the State agency also authorizes a 16-ounce can that provides the maximum.  It would not be appropriate to allow a 46 or 48-ounce container of juice as an option for the 64-ounce container of juice for a child. At least one package size (or combination of sizes) must add up to the full maximum monthly allowance that participants are authorized to receive.  The choice to achieve the full maximum allowance must be made available to participants and local agencies must provide appropriate education to participants about how to obtain their full food package benefit. 

May a participant pay the difference when the purchase of allowable fruits and vegetables exceeds the value of the fruit and vegetable voucher?  
This is a State agency option.

Can sales tax be applied to purchases made with the cash-value voucher?  
No, sales tax may not be applied to purchases made with the cash-value voucher. However, if a participant’s purchase of fruits and vegetables exceeds the amount of the cash-value voucher and the State agency allows the participant to pay cash for the additional amount, the balance is subject to sales tax. If the participant pays the balance with food stamps, the balance is not taxed.

States that authorize farmers to accept WIC Cash Value Vouchers 

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Are canned refried beans allowed?  
Yes, but only those without added sugars, fats, oil or meat as purchased are allowed.

Regulatory Requirements for WIC-Eligible Foods

Information for Food Manufacturers

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