Information for FNS Program Stakeholders
The Abbott infant formula recall and related supply shortages are effecting FNS program participants differently depending on where they live and their specific formula needs. This has left many parents and caregivers concerned about how they will feed their babies.
WIC state agencies hold rebate contracts with infant formula manufacturers. USDA continues to extend WIC state agencies the flexibilities they need to help provide babies with infant formula. FNS is covering the added cost of non-contract formula through January 31, 2023, to make it financially feasible for states to allow WIC participants to purchase alternative sizes, forms, or brands, of infant formula. FNS has reached out to each state to reiterate the available flexibilities. If you have questions about your infant formula benefits, contact your WIC state agency.
For the Child and Adult Care Food Program, FNS has issued Questions and Answers to help program operators continue to serve infants in CACFP during the formula shortage as well as guidance on the use of infant formulas imported as part of the FDA’s 2022 Infant Formula Enforcement Discretion Policy.
WIC Flexibilities
FNS continues to support WIC state agencies in their efforts to ensure WIC participant access to infant formula with waivers currently in place through January 31, 2023.
Check below for state agencies that have been granted certain waivers as part of the FNS response.
- Imported Infant Formula under FDA’s Infant Formula Enforcement Discretion
-
WIC state agencies that opt into this nationwide waiver may issue certain imported formulas.
States & Territories
Alaska WIC
American Samoa WIC
Arizona WIC
California WIC
Colorado WIC
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands WIC
Connecticut WIC
Delaware WIC
District of Columbia WIC
Florida WIC
Georgia WIC
Guam WIC
Hawaii WIC
Idaho WIC
Illinois WIC
Indiana WIC
Iowa WIC
Kansas WIC
Kentucky WIC
Louisiana WIC
Massachusetts WIC
Michigan WIC
Minnesota WIC
Mississippi WIC
Missouri WIC
Montana WIC
Nebraska WIC
Nevada WIC
New Hampshire WIC
New Jersey WIC
New Mexico WIC
New York WIC
North Carolina WIC
Ohio WIC
Oklahoma WIC
Oregon WIC
Pennsylvania WIC
Rhode Island WIC
South Carolina WIC
South Dakota WIC
Tennessee WIC
Texas WIC
Utah WIC
Vermont WIC
Virginia WIC
Washington WIC
West Virginia
Wisconsin WIC
Wyoming WICITOs
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Chickasaw Nation WIC
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Citizen Potawtomi Nation WIC
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Eastern Shoshone Tribe WIC
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos Inc. WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Oklahoma WIC
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians WIC
Muscogee (Creek) Nation WIC
Navajo Nation WIC
Northern Arapaho WIC
Osage Nation WIC
Otoe-Missouria WIC
Omaha Nation WIC
Pueblo of Zuni WIC
Santee Sioux Nation WIC
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe WIC
Three Affiliated Tribes WIC
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe WIC
Winnebago Tribe WIC - Medical Documentation
-
Allows participants to receive a different brand of formula without a doctor's note.
The Medical Documentation waivers I & II can be found here.
Granted May 23, 2022
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians WIC
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians WICGranted May 20, 2022
Alabama WIC
Georgia WIC
Mississippi WIC
North Carolina WICGranted May 18, 2022
Florida WIC
Indiana WIC
Ohio WIC
New Jersey WICGranted May 17, 2022
Michigan WIC
South Carolina WICGranted May 13, 2022
New York State WIC
Granted March 23, 2022
Muscogee Creek Nation WIC
Granted Feb. 28, 2022
Arkansas WIC
Granted Feb. 25, 2022
Citizen Potawatomi Nation WIC
Colorado WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Oklahoma WIC
Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware Tribes WICGranted Feb. 24, 2022
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council WIC
Granted Feb. 23, 2022
California WIC
Chickasaw Nation WIC
Otoe Missouria WICGranted Feb. 22, 2022
Arizona WIC
New Mexico WIC
Oklahoma WIC
Omaha Nation WIC
Rosebud Sioux Tribe WICGranted Feb. 21, 2022
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. WIC
Louisiana WIC
Maine WIC
Navajo Nation WIC
Osage Nation WIC
Pueblo of Isleta WIC
Texas WIC
Utah WIC
Washington WIC
Pueblo of Zuni WICGranted Feb. 20, 2022
Alaska WIC
American Samoa WIC
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands WIC
Connecticut WIC
Delaware WIC
District of Columbia WIC
Guam WIC
Hawaii WIC
Idaho WIC
Iowa WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada WIC
Kansas WIC
Kentucky WIC
Maryland WIC
Massachusetts WIC
Minnesota WIC
Missouri WIC
Montana WIC
Nebraska WIC
Nevada WIC
New Hampshire WIC
North Dakota WIC
Oregon WIC
Pennsylvania WIC
Rhode Island WIC
South Dakota WIC
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe WIC
Tennessee WIC
U.S. Virgin Islands WIC
Vermont WIC
Virginia WIC
West Virginia WIC
Wisconsin WIC
Wyoming WIC - Maximum Monthly Allowance: Food Packages I & II
-
Allows participants to receive alternate container sizes -- including those that are bigger than usual - and different forms, like ready to feed.
The Maximum Monthly Allowance waiver can be found here.
Granted July 20, 2022
Puerto Rico WIC
Granted May 24, 2022
Pleasant Point Health Center WIC
Granted May 23, 2022
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians WIC
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians WICGranted May 20, 2022
Alabama WIC
Georgia WIC
Mississippi WIC
New York WICGranted May 19, 2022
Illinois WIC
Granted May 18, 2022
Florida WIC
Indiana WIC
Ohio WIC
New Jersey WIC
Santee Sioux Nation WICGranted May 17, 2022
Eastern Shoshone WIC
North Carolina WIC
South Carolina WICGranted March 23, 2022
Muscogee Creek Nation WIC
Granted March 8, 2022
Northern Arapaho WIC
Granted Feb. 28, 2022
Arkansas WIC
Granted Feb. 25, 2022
Citizen Potawatomi Nation WIC
Colorado WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Oklahoma WIC
Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware Tribes WICGranted Feb. 24, 2022
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council WIC
Granted Feb. 23, 2022
California WIC
Chickasaw Nation WIC
Otoe Missouria WIC
Pueblo of Isleta WIC
Three Affiliated Tribes WIC
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe WIC
Winnebago Tribe WICGranted Feb. 22, 2022
Arizona WIC
New Mexico WIC
Oklahoma WIC
Omaha Nation WIC
Rosebud Sioux Tribe WICGranted Feb. 21, 2022
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. WIC
Louisiana WIC
Maine WIC
Navajo Nation WIC
Osage Nation WIC
Texas WIC
Utah WIC
Washington WIC
Pueblo of Zuni WICGranted Feb. 20, 2022
Alaska WIC
American Samoa WIC
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands WIC
Connecticut WIC
Delaware WIC
District of Columbia WIC
Guam WIC
Hawaii WIC
Idaho WIC
Iowa WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada WIC
Kansas WIC
Kentucky WIC
Maryland WIC
Massachusetts WIC
Michigan WIC
Minnesota WIC
Missouri WIC
Montana WIC
Nebraska WIC
Nevada WIC
New Hampshire WIC
North Dakota WIC
Oregon WIC
Pennsylvania WIC
Rhode Island WIC
South Dakota WIC
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe WIC
Tennessee WIC
U.S. Virgin Islands WIC
Vermont WIC Virginia WIC
West Virginia WIC
Wisconsin WIC
Wyoming WIC - Maximum Monthly Allowance: Food Package III
-
Maximum monthly allowance (MMA) for infants in Food Package III can be found here.
Granted July 27, 2022
Nebraska WIC
Granted July 20, 2022
Puerto Rico WIC
Granted June 28, 2022
Florida WIC
Iowa WICGranted June 24, 2022
Alaska WIC
Kentucky WICGranted June 22, 2022
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians WIC
Tennessee WIC
Wisconsin WIC
Washington WICGranted June 9, 2022
Texas WIC
Granted June 3, 2022
Idaho WIC
Minnesota WICGranted June 2, 2022
Arkansas WIC
Osage Nation WIC
Rhode Island WIC
South Dakota WICGranted June 1, 2022
Arizona WIC
Chickasaw Nation WIC
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Citizen Potawatomi Nation WIC
Connecticut WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona WIC
Navajo Nation WIC
New Mexico WIC
Oklahoma WIC
Otoe-Missouria WIC
Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware Tribes WIC
Wyoming WICGranted May 31, 2022
Colorado WIC
Indiana WIC
Montana WIC
New York WIC
Ohio WIC
Vermont WICGranted May 27, 2022
California WIC
Michigan WIC
New Hampshire WICGranted May 23, 2022
Delaware WIC
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians WIC
Massachusetts WIC
North Carolina WIC
Pennsylvania WIC - Vendor Exchanges
-
Allows stores to exchange recalled formula purchased with WIC benefits.
The Vendor Exchanges waiver can be found here.
Granted May 24, 2022
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians WIC
Pleasant Point Health Center WICGranted May 23, 2022
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians WIC
Granted May 18, 2022
Santee Sioux Nation WIC
Granted March 23, 2022
Muscogee Creek Nation WIC
Granted March 8, 2022
Northern Arapaho WIC
Granted March 3, 2022
Alabama WIC
Granted March 1, 2022
North Carolina WIC
Granted Feb. 28, 2022
Arkansas WIC
Granted Feb. 25, 2022
Citizen Potawatomi Nation WIC
Colorado WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Oklahoma WIC
New York WIC
Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware Tribes WICGranted Feb. 24, 2022
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council WIC
Florida WIC
Georgia WIC
Mississippi WIC
South Carolina WICGranted Feb. 23, 2022
Chickasaw Nation WIC
Ohio WIC
Otoe Missouria WIC
Three Affiliated Tribes WIC
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe WIC
Winnebago Tribe WICGranted Feb. 22, 2022
Arizona WIC
California WIC
Indiana WIC
New Jersey WIC
New Mexico WIC
Oklahoma WIC
Omaha Nation WIC
Puerto Rico WIC
Rosebud Sioux Tribe WICGranted Feb. 21, 2022
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma WIC
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. WIC
Louisiana WIC
Maine WIC
Navajo Nation WIC
Osage Nation WIC
Pueblo of Isleta WIC
Texas WIC
Utah WIC
Washington WIC
Pueblo of Zuni WICGranted Feb. 20, 2022
Alaska WIC
American Samoa WIC
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands WIC
Connecticut WIC
Delaware WIC
District of Columbia WIC
Guam WIC
Hawaii WIC
Idaho WIC
Iowa WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona WIC
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada WIC
Kansas WIC
Kentucky WIC
Maryland WIC
Massachusetts WIC
Michigan WIC
Minnesota WIC
Missouri WIC
Montana WIC
Nebraska WIC
Nevada WIC
New Hampshire WIC
North Dakota WIC
Oregon WIC
Pennsylvania WIC
Rhode Island WIC
South Dakota WIC
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe WIC
Tennessee WIC
U.S. Virgin Islands WIC
Vermont WIC
Virginia WIC
West Virginia WIC
Wisconsin WIC
Wyoming WIC - Vendor Substitutions During Transaction
-
Allows stores to substitute formula manually when online benefit technology isn't available. Note: this waiver is not necessary for most state agencies.
The vendor formula substitutions waiver can be found here.
Granted March 3, 2022
Texas WIC
Additional Resources
Supply Shortages
The formula shortage has left many families feeling anxious about how they’ll feed their babies.
While we know it’s not easy to change your baby’s diet, most babies will do just fine with different brands of formula, including store brands, as long as they're the same type, like cow's milk-based, soy, hypoallergenic (extensively hydrolyzed), or elemental (amino acid-based).
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips for parents and caregivers who are struggling to find baby formula during the shortage as well as information about new baby formula brands on the shelves.
Talk with your pediatrician about safe and appropriate feeding alternatives for your child.
Key Messages for Consumers
We know it’s not easy to change your baby’s diet, but here are some suggestions if you can't find your baby's normal formula.
- Try a new brand of formula.
- Try formula that's made in another country and sold in the United States.
- Talk to your health care provider about substitutes for hypoallergenic or specialty formula.
- Explore resources for breastfeeding.
- Learn What to Know About the Risk of Cronobacter in Powdered Infant Formula.
Visit the HHS site for more information about these tips, ways to feed your baby safely, and help finding formula.
Infant Formula Safety Tips
The CDC and FDA have information for choosing a safe infant formula. Some steps to ensure the safety of infant formula include:
- Don’t make homemade infant formula.
- Do not buy formula online that comes from outside the United States unless it has been approved by the FDA. This formula could be counterfeit and it may have been relabeled.
- Properly prepare and store infant formula.
- Properly clean, sanitize, and store infant feeding items.
- Do not feed your baby cow's milk until they are about 12 months old, unless no alternative is available and you've talked with your child's medical provider.
- Always wash your hands.
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding can provide many health benefits for you and your baby.
- WIC Breastfeeding Support is there to help at all stages of breastfeeding.
- Find support and resources for breastfeeding mothers from the Office on Women's Health.
- MyPlate has information on health choices for breastfeeding mothers.
- Learn more out about breastfeeding practices from the CDC.
- The AAP continues to support breastfeeding mothers with recommendations and policy.
- Healthy Children answers many questions breastfeeding mothers may have.