WIC Food Package

Trends in Infant Formula Rebate Contracts: Implications for the WIC Program

Across the 46 WIC State agencies, real net price decreased by an average 43 percent (or 23 cents per 26 ounces of reconstituted fluid), allaying concerns about increasing real net prices. With lower net prices, combined with declining WIC purchases of infant formula, WIC State agencies paid $107 million less for formula in their new contracts over the course of a year.

Is It Time to Put a Moratorium on New Infant Formulas that Are Not Adequately Investigated?

Infant formula sales in the US are a competitive and profitable marketplace environment. FDA restrictions on such new formula releases are designed to ensure that there is minimal evidence of risk, but often the evidence for benefit is not established. Some of these products may confuse families relative to the value of breastfeeding or to the value of spending money on more expensive formulas than are medically needed. In other cases, they lead to multiple formula switches over relatively minor symptoms that would best be managed through parental education. They may also pose risks for populations including late preterm infants or infants with other risk factors for poor growth.

Food-Package Assignments and Breastfeeding Initiation Before and After a Change in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

After the change, fewer WIC mothers of new infants received the partial breastfeeding package. More WIC mothers received the full breastfeeding package, but more mothers also received the full formula package

Comparison of Food Intake Among Infants and Toddlers Participating in a South Central Texas WIC Program Reveals Some Improvements After WIC Package Changes

Breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding duration, age of introduction of complementary foods, and exposures to baby food fruits, vegetables, and meats among infants did not improve after the package changes. Significantly fewer infants received cereal in their bottles and fewer toddlers consumed vegetables and eggs after the package changes.

The Impact of the 2009 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Food Package Revisions on Participants: A Systematic Review

The review demonstrated an improved dietary intake and an increase in the availability of healthier foods and beverages in authorized WIC stores. The revised food package was also associated with improved dietary intake of WIC participants. Mixed results were demonstrated in regard to improved breastfeeding outcomes.

Impact of Policy Changes on Overweight Rates Among Low-Income Children Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Issuance rates of the "fully breastfeeding" package at infant WIC enrollment increased by 86% with the package changes. Rates also increased significantly for 2- and 6-month-old infants. Issuance rates of packages that included formula decreased significantly.

Predictors of Obesity in a Cohort of Children Enrolled in WIC as Infants and Retained to 3 Years of Age

Substitution of flavored milk has the potential to reduce energy and total and saturated fat intake with no impact on diet costs or micronutrient density.

Impact of Policy Changes on Infant Feeding Decisions Among Low-Income Women Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Training of front-line WIC staff, and participant education influenced issuance rates of WIC food packages. In California, the issuance rates of packages that include formula have significantly decreased and the rate for those that include no formula has significantly increased.

The New Food Package and Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Women, Infants, and Children Participants in Los Angeles County

The new food package can improve breastfeeding outcomes in a population at high risk for negative breastfeeding outcomes.

How Increasing WIC Breastfeeding Rates Will Affect WIC Expenditures: Saving Money While Meeting the Goals of Healthy People 2020

This report analyzes the cost structure of WIC food packages in relation to breastfeeding