The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue through Oct. 31 to cover the added cost of non-contract formula made available to families through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, also known as WIC.
WIC funding flexibility will be extended. This has allowed state agencies and infant formula manufacturers to provide more options for WIC families needing formula, such as allowing them “to purchase alternate sizes, forms, or brands of infant formula,” a news release said.
“WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk,” a USDA website said.
While the nationwide supply of infant formula recovers from a shortage, USDA will support WIC families by maintaining flexibilities, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release.
“WIC families are counting on us, and while the supply of infant formula is improving, the extended flexibilities will make sure WIC families can find the formula they need for their babies,” Vilsack said in the release.
USDA temporarily allowed alternate formula in states that contracted with formula manufacturer Abbott, which had a voluntary formula recall in February.
“[USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service] continues to provide ongoing assistance and support to states so they can adapt to the situation as it unfolds, approving nearly 500 waiver requests to date,” the release said.
