Summary

WIC Food Package Changes

The WIC food packages remained relatively unchanged until the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene an expert committee to review and update the food packages in 2004. That committee's report recommended wide-ranging revisions to the WIC food packages. Following issuance of the “Interim Rule” in 2007, the majority of the IOM report's recommendations were implemented. These updates included providing whole wheat bread, several additional grain options, a cash value voucher (CVV) to purchase vegetables and fruits, a reduction in the amount of juice, eggs, milk, and formula, and the removal of whole milk for all participants except 1-year-old children.

Most local WIC agencies, vendors, and manufacturers adopted the food package revisions successfully. The variety of dairy and grain products in the marketplace and the availability of WIC-approved foods have improved since 2009. The increased flexibility offered to program participants was important for meeting their needs and preferences. For many participants, however, some foods (e.g., fluid milk, ready-to-eat cereals) may not align with personal or cultural preferences, leading to reduced redemption and consumption.

The Committee's Task

In response to the congressional mandate, in 2014, USDA-FNS asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to convene an expert committee to review and assess the nutritional status and food and nutritional needs of the WIC-eligible population and provide specific scientifically-based recommendations based on its review and grounded in the most recently available science. In addition, the committee was charged to ensure that recommendations for revising the WIC food packages are consistent with the DGA and address the health and cultural needs of the WIC participant population. Finally, the committee's recommendations should operate efficiently and be effectively administered across the geographic scope of the program. The complete task is described in Chapter 1.

The committee has produced three reports. In An Evaluation of White Potatoes in the Cash Value Voucher: Letter Report, it recommended that white potatoes be allowed for purchase with the cash value voucher (CVV). In Review of WIC Food Packages: Proposed Framework for Revisions, the committee presented the evidence, analyses, and framework to be applied to develop the committee's recommendations. In this third report, the committee provides its final analyses, recommendations, and the supporting rationale.

The Committee's Process

To address its task, the committee formulated a strategy that included an ongoing comprehensive review of the published literature and other available evidence, consideration of information from public workshops and public comments, analyses of relevant data, and deliberation on topics related to its charge. This committee also benefitted from newly available data on redemption of WIC foods.

The committee designed a systematic and transparent process for identifying actions that could prompt consideration of a revision in the food packages, which included use of a decision tree to establish “priority nutrients” and “priority food groups” and to identify appropriate changes in the food packages (see Chapter 5, Figure 5-1). It also developed a set of criteria for inclusion of foods in the food packages (see Box S-1) and a framework to guide the decision-making process that included nutritional and cost trade-offs (see Figure S-1). Noteworthy among these criteria is the concept that the packages should provide a balanced supplement to participants' diets. Guided by information gathered, the committee used an iterative process to identify potential food package changes. The committee then compared the impact of potential changes against the criteria, within the constraints of the cost-neutral requirement, to develop its recommendations. A sensitivity analysis (see Chapter 8) was conducted to test the committee's assumptions and a regulatory impact analysis (see Chapter 10) was conducted to assess the projected impact of the recommended food packages changes on program participation, the value of the food packages as selected, and program costs and administration.

The committee's analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2005–2012) was used to identify nutrients consumed in inadequate or excessive amounts and food groups consumed in less- or more-than-recommended amounts and to set nutrient and food group priorities.

The committee found that the current food packages provide 100 percent or more of the recommended intake of several nutrients and food groups. The committee considered these more-than-supplemental amounts (i.e., they provided more than a moderate proportion of an individual's requirement or recommended intake) and reduced them to be able to address other nutritional priorities. As a result of the diversity of nutrients that can be provided through the CVV, and participants' preference for this option, the committee considered it useful to increase the CVV to improve vegetable and fruit intakes. In other situations, the committee considered that an alternative form of food could be useful to promote intake of foods already included in the packages. The committee considered fish as a possible addition to the food packages because low-mercury seafood is recommended in the DGA and seafood intakes are below recommended amounts.

Available data also indicated that the current strategy of allowing breastfeeding women only two options in the first month (no formula or one can of formula) did not change breastfeeding initiation, but it did affect duration. While issuance of the partial breastfeeding package declined, there was an increased issuance of the fully formula-feeding package, along with an increased issuance of the fully breastfeeding package.

Challenges with the Process

The committee faced challenges that affected its ability to assess the data, meet the criteria, or revise the packages consistent with the potential actions identified from the decision tree. Briefly, these challenges included

• Some of the sample sizes in the NHANES dataset for population subgroups of interest were very small, so the committee combined survey years to obtain adequate numbers of participants for analysis. The need to combine survey years precluded fulfilling USDA's request for a pre-post 2009 food package change comparison.
• For women coded as “breastfeeding” in NHANES, the duration and intensity of breastfeeding were unknown, thus partially breastfeeding women could not be distinguished from exclusively breastfeeding women.
• Women coded as “pregnant” in NHANES were treated as a single group to increase the sample size, although this precluded full adjustment for their varying needs by trimester.
• There is no available analytical method to resolve differences in estimates of nutrient inadequacy derived from Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) (Estimated Average Requirement [EAR] and Adequate Intake [AI]) with estimates of under-consumption relative to the DGA food groups. The committee used both to identify possible targets for supplementation.
• The cost-neutral constraint precluded inclusion of several of the identified potential actions for food package changes.

Summary of Recommendations to Revised WIC Food Packages

In response to its task, the committee recommended revisions to the WIC food packages that align with the DGA and are more consistent with the nutrition standards of other nutrition assistance programs that serve children. The committee targeted three primary areas: amounts of foods, specifications for foods, and additional substitution options for foods. To improve balance among food groups, most foods that are currently provided in more-than-supplemental amounts are reduced (i.e., juice, dairy [milk], peanut butter, legumes, and infant foods). Foods that are currently provided in lower amounts or were consumed in amounts below that recommended (i.e., whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and seafood) are increased. Food specifications are adjusted to increase the provision of whole grains (all breakfast cereals must meet the whole grain-rich criteria, all bread must be 100 percent whole wheat) and reduce the contribution of added sugars from foods that can substitute for milk (i.e., yogurt, soy beverage). The food choices allowed in the 2009 food package revisions were retained, and additional choices were added (i.e., a substitution of CVV for jarred infant fruits or vegetables or juice, some fish in place of some jarred infant food meats, an additional quart of yogurt for milk, additional grain choices, and options for vegan participants, including soy-based cheese and yogurt substitute products). The committee anticipates no increase in the administrative burden of these changes because the recommended revisions build upon the 2009 food package updates.

The overarching recommendations for revising the WIC food packages are presented below. Details about specific revisions to amounts of foods allowed and specifications are provided in Chapter 6.

• 6-1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) should increase the dollar amount of the cash value voucher, add fish, and reduce the amounts of juice, milk, legumes, and peanut butter in all food packages for women and children (IV, V-A, V-B, and VII), to improve the balance of food groups in alignment with the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These changes also apply to food package VI, except that the amounts of milk are unchanged and the amounts of legumes are increased.
• 6-2. USDA-FNS should support the cultural food preferences and special dietary needs of WIC participants by requiring states to offer additional options for the WIC food categories, including substitution of a CVV in place of juice, additional forms and varieties of vegetables and fruits, both canned and dried legumes, and a range of options and sizes for grains and yogurt. A substitution of legumes for peanut butter or for eggs should be allowed for individuals who have a peanut allergy, or that are following a vegan diet, respectively.
• 6-3. USDA-FNS, as a means of supporting breastfeeding of any duration and intensity, should allow individual tailoring of the infant food packages to best meet the needs of the mother–infant dyad.
• 6-4. USDA-FNS should reduce the amounts of infant cereal across food package II for all infants, and reduce the amounts of jarred infant food vegetables and fruits and jarred infant food meats provided in food package II for fully breastfed infants. Caregivers should be permitted to substitute all or part of the jarred infant food vegetables and fruits with a cash value voucher, and a portion of jarred infant food meat with canned fish.
• 6-5. USDA-FNS should no longer require provision of a WIC formula to all participants that are issued food package III. Participants should be permitted access to the foods in the package appropriate for their age, physiological state, and medical condition. The health care provider may refer to the WIC registered dietitian and/or qualified nutritionist for identifying appropriate foods (excluding WIC formula) and their prescribed amounts as well as the length of time the participant requires the foods.
• 6-6. USDA-FNS should issue food package V-B to women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses and food package VII to women who are partially breastfeeding multiple infants.
• 6-7. USDA-FNS should modify required specifications for some WIC foods to improve their alignment with dietary guidance.

The Revised Food Packages Provide Supplemental Amounts of Most Food Groups

To meet the criterion of providing a balanced supplement to participants' diets, the WIC packages were modified to reduce foods that provided more-than-supplemental amounts and increase foods needed to improve intakes of priority nutrients and food groups. The modifications accounted for participant preferences by evaluating available redemption data. For example, quantities of milk were reduced from providing 85 to 119 percent to 71 to 75 percent of recommended intakes. Juice was reduced and the CVV was increased correspondingly to shift the fruit consumption toward whole fruit, the preferred source of fruit in the DGA. In addition, the CVV was increased for all food packages to increase consumption of vegetables, which are poorly consumed, and fruit. Redemption of legumes and peanut butter is relatively low (approximately 50 percent), and the current food packages meet nearly 100 percent of the DGA recommended intake for several population subgroups, so amounts of legumes and peanut butter were reduced in several of the revised packages. Revisions to the whole grain requirement increase the ratio of whole-to-refined grains provided in the revised packages. Nearly all revised packages now provide some fish (although the amounts remain low).

The Revised Packages Provide at Least 50 Percent of the DRI of Most Priority Nutrients

Reductions in foods provided in more-than-supplemental amounts led to reductions in some nutrients in each food package. However, most nutrients prioritized by the committee are provided in amounts equivalent to at least 50 percent of the EAR or AI in the revised packages. However, potassium and fiber (higher priority across packages), choline (higher priority, pregnant women), vitamin D (lower priority, pregnant women), and copper (lower priority, postpartum women) are provided in amounts below 50 percent of the EAR or AI in the revised packages. The committee experienced the same limitations to meeting recommended amounts of all nutrients in a balanced diet as the DGAs did in developing their food patterns. The challenge was compounded by the committee's cost-neutrality constraint.

The Revised Packages Are More Consistent with Dietary Guidance

The revised food packages provide some of all DGA food groups, provide more whole than refined grains, and provide more whole fruit than fruit juice compared to the current packages. The amount of juice provided to children in the revised food packages is approximately 50 percent of the limit for juice that is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The amounts of “calories for other uses” (which include added sugars and saturated fat) were reduced across food packages. The specified limit for added sugars in yogurt was lowered but, nonetheless, the new yogurt option may increase added sugars. However, this is still in alignment with DGA guidance that some added sugars are appropriate in nutrient-dense foods to promote palatability. Sodium was reduced in all food packages.

The Revised Packages Enhance Options for Cultural Preferences and for Situations in Which Transportation, Storage, or Cooking Facilities Are Limited

The revised food packages include additional grain options suitable for various cultures (corn meal, corn masa flour, buckwheat, and teff), and allow additional yogurt, which may be more culturally suitable than fluid milk. The CVV offers the greatest degree of flexibility for meeting cultural needs and was increased in all food packages. The general increase in CVV as well as options to substitute additional amounts of CVV for juice or for jarred infant foods offers participants even more flexibility to meet their preferences. Volumes of foods difficult to transport have been reduced (e.g., milk, jarred infant foods) which lowers this burden. The requirement to provide canned legumes and a canned, frozen, or dried form of vegetable or fruit improves the suitability of the packages for various storage or cooking conditions.

The Revised Packages Consider WIC Agency and Vendor Burdens

Before changing the food specifications for yogurt and ready-to-eat cereal, the committee obtained information on market availability of these products to ensure vendors nationwide would be able to implement them. The revised food packages also consider that new food options are allowed in sizes commonly available to vendors and therefore accessible to participants.