USDA Improves Nutritional Quality of WIC Foods
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
For the first time in three decades, USDA has updated the selection of foods provided to low-income women and children who participate in the WIC program. The changes must take place by August 5, 2009 and are meant to align the program more with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines.
Key changes to the WIC food offerings include the following:
- The USDA rule increased the amount of fruits and vegetables available to women and children. It will provide vouchers of $8.00 per month for women, $6.00 per month for children and breastfeeding women will get vouchers of $10.00 per month towards increasing the fruits and vegetables per month that they purchase.
- The new USDA rule reduces the amount of juice provided through food packages to children to be more in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
- The rule requires that half of the cereals available through the WIC program to have whole grain as the primary ingredient by weight AND to meet labeling requirements for making a whole grain claim. This is a change from the past when cereals did not have to be whole grain. It continues to require that cereals contain less than 6 g of sugar per ounce. In addition, bread and tortillas purchased through the WIC program must be 100 percent whole grain.
- The quantity of milk provided through the program has been reduced as in the past more milk was provided than was recommended by the Dietary Guidelines. Furthermore, the rule reduces the fat content of milk provided to children two years of age and older and women. Whole milk is no longer an option for this group.
- The rule reduces the amount of cheese available in food packages to lower the saturated fat and cholesterol in the foods that qualify for the WIC program.
- Soy-based beverages and tofu may be substituted for milk in the food package( with medical documentation of need).
- The quantity of eggs provided through the packages have been reduced in an effort to keep the cholesterol intake down.
- The rule provides incentives for breastfeeding by providing more fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs and canned fish to mothers who are fully breastfeeding as opposed to mothers who choose to formula feed their infants.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
