For immediate release: September 9, 2008 (08-155)

Contacts:
Cathy Franklin, WIC Nutrition Program 360-236-3648
Allison Cook, Communications Office 360-236-4022

Washington WIC Nutrition Program proposes changes to foods

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program has published a proposed new food list that could become effective October 2009.

For the first time, fresh fruits and vegetables will be added to the approved food list under the proposed changes. The changes are based on new federal laws meant to align WIC foods with national dietary recommendations and to promote and support breastfeeding. They’re also intended to increase the variety of foods available to WIC clients and accommodate cultural food preferences. Other foods that would be approved include tofu and whole grain products.

For nutritional reasons, juice for infants and whole milk for women and children over 2 will no longer be provided. Because of high cost, organic milk, baby cereal, and cereals such as MultiGrain Cheerios and Special K would no longer be available.

“It’s important that young mothers, their babies, and children have the right variety of healthy foods available to them, and that’s what the proposed new food list is all about,” said Janet Charles, director for the state Department of Health’s WIC program. “These changes will add fresh produce, whole grains, and tofu, while making the most efficient use of our resources.”

Adding the new foods means some other foods will be supplied in smaller amounts or eliminated all together. Infant formula, eggs, milk, and juice are among those that are being reduced.

Washington WIC is currently the only WIC program in the country to allow organic milk. When approved eight years ago, organic milk cost only a little more than non-organic milk; now it’s double the cost. Dropping organic milk from the approved foods list saves money for other essential foods.

A change that may be of concern to parents is a small reduction in the amount of formula for infants after six months of age. The organization that recommends foods WIC provides decided that baby food should be available, and less formula should be provided for infants at six months.

“Infant formula is expensive and families with formula-fed babies need a plan to cover the increased cost for a few months, as babies start eating more solid food,” said Cathy Franklin, WIC nutritionist for the Department of Health. “This won’t be an issue for babies that are breastfed, which is what we strongly recommend.”

WIC is the special supplemental nutrition program for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children up to age five living below 185 percent of the poverty level. It’s a short-term prevention program designed to improve lifetime nutrition and health behaviors by helping children get a good start on healthy eating. It’s not intended to meet all clients’ nutritional needs.

Comments on the proposed food list (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/newfoods.htm) are welcome through the end of September and can be made online or by mail to: Department of Health, New Food Choices Comment, P.O. Box 47886, Olympia, WA 98504-7886.

More information on Washington WIC (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/default.htm) is on the Department of Health’s Web site.

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