TABLE C-1 Comparison of IOM 2006 Recommendations and USDA and State Implementation Specific to Meeting Dietary Guidance
| 2006 IOM Report | USDA Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Proposed Changes | Specific Recommendation | Federal Regulationa | State Option |
|
Include fruits and vegetables for all individuals 6 months and older |
Provide a CVV for fruit and vegetable purchases, $8 for children and $10 for women; allow fresh and processed, and jarred infant fruits and vegetables. One pound of fresh bananas may replace 8 oz of baby food |
Provide a CVV of $8 for children; $10 for women; fruits and vegetables may be fresh or processed with no added sugars or fats; vendors must stock at least two fruits and two vegetables |
States may allow fresh and/ or processed; may restrict packagingb; may allow farmers’ markets to accept vouchers; substitution of a portion of jarred infant fruits and vegetables with a CVV ($4 for partially BF, $6 for fully BF) by individual assessment |
|
Include more whole grain products |
Allow only whole grain breakfast cerealsc Allow whole grain bread with other possible whole grain substitutions |
At least one-half of all breakfast cereal on each state agency’s authorized food list must have whole grain as the primary ingredient by weight and meet labeling requirements for making a health claim as a “whole grain food with moderate fat content” |
States may select authorized cereals |
|
Allow whole wheat bread, brown rice, bulgur, oats, whole-grain barley, soft corn or whole wheat tortillas, and whole wheat macaroni products |
States may select authorized breads and substitutions |
||
|
Reduce amounts of saturated fat for participants ages 2 years and older (thereby reducing cholesterol and total fat provided) |
Reduce quantities of milk Permit whole milk for children 1 to 2 years of age Reduce quantity of cheese Reduce quantity of eggsd |
Reduce amounts of milk Permit whole milk between 1 and 2 years of age only; for others milk must be skim or 1% only Reduce cheese and limit substitution rate Reduce quantity of eggs |
No option to increase milk amounts States may issue reduced-fat milks to infants 1 year of age if weight is a concern No option to increase substitution of cheese for milk No option for eggs |
|
Provide more flexibility for WIC state agencies and more variety and choice for WIC participants |
In grain category, allow soft corn or whole wheat tortillas, brown rice, oatmeal, bulgur, and barley, as bread substitutes; allow soy beverage, tofu, and yogurt as milk substitutes; allow canned beans; allow tuna, sardines, mackerel, and salmon |
Whole grain tortillas (corn or wheat), brown rice, oatmeal, bulgur, barley, and whole wheat pasta may be substituted for bread; tofu may be substituted for milk; yogurt may be substituted for 1 q milk; dried or canned beans; tuna, salmon, sardines, and jack mackerel permitted as fish options |
States must provide bread, milk, dry or canned beans, and at least two fish options; additional substitutions at state option |
| 2006 IOM Report | USDA Action | ||
| Major Proposed Changes | Specific Recommendation | Federal Regulationa | State Option |
|
Promote and support breastfeeding, especially full breastfeeding |
Provide higher CVV value for breastfeeding mothers Reduce formula to partially breastfed infants Infant formula not provided in the first month to breastfeeding infants Fully breastfeeding infants receive jarred baby food meats in addition to greater amounts of baby food fruits and vegetables Additional quantities of milk, eggs, and cheese; also fish, whole grains, and cheese for breastfeeding mothers |
Provide a $10 CVV for all women No routine issuance of formula to partially breastfeeding infants Infant formula may be provided to breastfed infants in the first month, but this should not be standardized Individual needs should be assessed and the food quantities issued accordingly Additional quantities of milk, eggs, and cheese; also fish, whole grains and cheese for breastfeeding mothers |
No option to change the CVV amount States may tailor amounts of formula up to the maximum allowance No routine issuance in the first month to breastfeeding mothers, or may provide 1 can of powdered infant formula in the first month Assess individual needs to tailor packages States may offer various substitutions in the whole grains and fish categories |
|
Address developmental needs of infants and young children |
Slightly increase formula amounts for fully formula-fed infants 4 to 5 months of age (and exclusion of juice and cereal) |
Fully formula-fed infants 4 to 5 months of age received a slightly increased amount of infant formula |
No option |
|
Reduce formula amounts for infants 6 to 11 months of age; infant foods provided only at 6 months of age or older |
Reduced maximum amounts of formula; no infant foods provided from 0 to less than 6 months of age |
No option |
|
|
Commercial baby food and fresh bananas for infants |
From 9 months to less than 1 year, half of jarred foods may be substituted with fresh fruits and vegetablese; for infants 6 months to less than 1 year, fresh bananas may be substituted for a limited amount of jarred baby food fruit |
State option to allow the infant fruit and vegetable substitutions |
|
|
Address obesity concerns |
Slightly decrease total food energy provided by the packages after 4 months of age (except for fully breastfeeding infants), including reduced milk, cheese, eggs, and juice Limit added sugars in commercial baby food, processed fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereals, and whole grains |
Milk, cheese, eggs, and juice quantities were reduced overall |
No option |
|
Limits placed on added sugars content of breakfast cereals and yogurt |
States may further reduce added sugars limits |
NOTES: BF = breastfeeding; CVV = cash value voucher; IOM = Institute of Medicine; USDA = U.S. Department of Agriculture.
a Federal regulation information is from the final rule issued March 4, 2014. See the documentation for the minimum requirements and specifications for foods, including sugar limits and Standards of Identity.
b States may not selectively choose the fruits and vegetables allowable, but may restrict packaging type and packaging sizes. Types may be restricted if vendor or participant confusion is anticipated.
c At least 51 percent of the grain in the product was required to be whole grain.
d The primary reason for reducing the quantity of eggs was to maintain cost neutrality; fat and cholesterol reduction was a secondary result.
e Partially breastfed infants may receive a $4 CVV plus 64 ounces of infant food fruits and vegetables; fully breastfed infants may receive an $8 CVV plus 128 ounces of infant food fruits and vegetables.
SOURCES: IOM, 2006; USDA/FNS, 2014.
REFERENCES
IOM (Institute of Medicine). 2006. WIC food packages: Time for a change. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
USDA/FNS (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food and Nutrition Service). 2014. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC food packages; final rule, 7 C.F.R. § 246.
