Congress Enhances WIC Food Package Definition and
Creates Review Requirements

WIC Foods Definition

In the 2004 WIC reauthorization, the definition of WIC foods was enhanced by expanding the definition beyond addressing specific nutritional deficiencies to also focus on

"foods that promote the health of the population served by the program authorized by this section, as indicated by relevant nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns."

The WIC food package, central to the success of WIC in improving nutrition among vulnerable women, infant and children, will now be guided by the new enhanced definition of WIC foods. The new complete WIC supplemental foods definition is now:

"Supplemental foods means those foods containing nutrients determined by nutritional research to be lacking in the diets of pregnant breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children and foods that promote the health of the population served by the program authorized by this section, as indicated by relevant nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns, as prescribed by the Secretary."

WIC Food Package Review

Congress also include a new requirement that the WIC food package be periodically reviewed and modified as necessary to assure the program's continued effectiveness. Based on the review results, USDA is directed to make WIC food package revisions as appropriate to reflect the current "nutritional science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns."

Prior to the reauthorization, USDA had already begun a review of the WIC food package including referring the issue to the Institute of Medicine for a scientific review. The Institute of Medicine has issued a preliminary report, Proposed Criteria For Selecting the WIC Food Packages, and will complete the review of WIC food package and issue a final report in 2005. The Institute offers an opportunity to submit comments and to view the preliminary report on their website

Congress, anxious to keep the current WIC food package review and revision on track, included a provision in the 2004 WIC reauthorization requiring USDA to issue a final rule updating the WIC food package within 18 months of receiving the Institute of Medicine's final report.

Background: Current WIC Food Package

WIC provides participants with supplemental foods through a monthly package tailored to meet their special dietary needs. The foods are chosen to provide protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C - nutrients likely to be missing from the diets of low-income women, infants and children. Authorized WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula, infant cereal, milk, eggs, cheese, iron fortified breakfast cereal, Vitamin C-rich juice, beans, tuna fish, carrots and peanut butter. The most common method of providing WIC supplemental foods is for clients to receive WIC checks or coupons they can cash in for specific foods at a participating grocery store.

See a summary of the 2004 WIC reauthorization provisions.

Factsheets on Child Nutrition Programs School Breakfast  |  School Lunch  |  Afterschool  |  Summer Food Women, Infants, and Children  |  Child and Adult Care Food Program

Prepared by the Food Research & Action Center, 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202-986-2200; www.frac.org