The federal government has established new guidelines for foods subsidized by the WIC program, and, as of October 1, 2009 whole grains are included, for the first time.

Following on the heels of the new federal requirements, states have established lists of qualifying products. (WIC participants are not generally free to buy any qualifying product; they can only choose from a limited subset of specific approved products on each local WIC agency’s list.)

Breakfast Cereals for WIC

1. a whole grain must be the first ingredient
2. must have at least 28 mg of iron per 100g
3. must have no more than 21.2g of sugar per 100g (no more than 6g per dry oz)
4. must meet all qualifications for the Whole Grain Health Claim (moderate fat version)
—a. whole grain ingredients must comprise 51% or more of the weight of the product
—b. low in saturated fat (no more than 1g saturated fat per RACC)
—c. low in cholesterol (no more than 20mg cholesterol per RACC)
—d. moderate in total fat (no more than 6.5g total fat per RACC)
—e. bear quantitative trans fat labeling and contain no more than 0.5g trans fat per RACC

RACCs (Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed) for cereals are as follows:

40 g hot cereals, unsweetened, dry
55 g hot cereals, sweetened, dry
15 g RTE cereals weighing less than 20g per cup (e.g., puffed rice)
30 g RTE cereals weighing 20-42g per cup; cereals that are more than 28% fiber
55 g RTE cereals weighing 43g or more per cup; biscuit types

Breads for WIC

1. a whole grain must be the first ingredient
2. it must meet all qualifications for the Whole Grain Health Claim (moderate fat version)
—a. whole grain ingredients must comprise 51% or more of the weight of the product
—b. low in saturated fat (no more than 1g saturated fat per RACC — the RACC for bread is 50g)
—c. low in cholesterol (no more than 20mg cholesterol per RACC)
—d. moderate in total fat (no more than 6.5g total fat per RACC)
—e. bear quantitative trans fat labeling and contain no more than 0.5g trans fat per RACC

The RACC for bread is 50 grams.

Other Unprocessed Whole Grains for WIC

States have the option of allowing “other unprocessed whole grains” to be substituted for the bread allotment. These must be:

1. Specific whole grains: brown rice, oats, bulgur, whole barley
2. No added fats or oils.
3. No added salt.
4. No added sugars.

Tortillas for WIC

States also have the option of allowing tortillas to be substituted for the bread allotment. These must be:

1. Soft whole corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas.
2. The first ingredient must be whole grain corn or wheat.