DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.010 1 | P a g e Title: Authorized Foods List Category: Supplemental Foods CFR Reference: 246.10 Policy Number: 9.010 Effective Date: 01/2021 Revised Date: 6/15/2026

POLICY STATEMENT: The State Agency will develop and maintain a list of authorized foods – the DC WIC Food List – which specifies the types, sizes, and nutrient standards of authorized foods in the DC WIC program. The Food List will be revised and reissued when there is: a. A change in federal program regulations b. Information on new products developed since the issuance of the last Food List c. A product recall, discontinuation, or reformulation resulting in a change of eligibility status The DC WIC Food List can be found online at www.dcwic.org/foods-formulas.

DC WIC FOOD ITEM SPECIFICATIONS The following chart provides food item selection criteria for inclusion on the DC WIC Food List. Food Item Allowed on the DC WIC Food List Cow’s Milk USDA requirements: ▪ Must be pasteurized ▪ Must contain at least: - 400 IU vitamin D per quart (100 IU per cup) - 2000 IU vitamin A per quart (500 IU per cup)

Not Allowed: o Flavored milk o Added protein (ultra skim)

o Any brand o Organic store brands Regular Milk Nonfat, low-fat, reduced-fat, whole o Quarts, half gallons, gallons Lactose-reduced Milk Nonfat, low-fat, reduced-fat, whole o Quarts, half gallons Buttermilk Low-fat or reduced-fat o Quarts, half gallons Evaporated or Powdered Nonfat, low-fat, reduced-fat, whole o 5 oz to 64 oz packages UHT Milk Nonfat, low-fat, reduced-fat, whole o Quarts Kefir milk o Quarts Goat’s Milk

USDA Requirements: ▪ Must be pasteurized ▪ Must contain at least: - 400 IU vitamin D per quart o Fluid goat’s milk, pasteurized, unflavored o Quarts, half gallons o Approved brands only

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.010 2 | P a g e (100 IU per cup) - 2000 IU vitamin A per quart (500 IU per cup) Cheese

USDA requirements: Made from 100% pasteurized milk Not Allowed: o Cheese from in-store deli o Imported cheese (made outside USA)

o Any brand o Organic store brands o 8 oz, 16 oz, 24 oz, 32 oz packages o Monterey Jack, Colby, Cheddar, Swiss, Muenster, Provolone, part-skim or whole Mozzarella, pasteurized processed American, or blends of these o Block, sliced, cubed, shredded, individually wrapped slices, or string cheese

Soy Milk

USDA requirements (per cup): ▪ Must contain ≤10g added sugar ▪ 276 mg calcium ▪ 8 g protein ▪ 500 IU vitamin A ▪ 100 IU vitamin D ▪ 24 mg magnesium ▪ 222 mg phosphorus ▪ 349 mg potassium ▪ 0.44 mg riboflavin ▪ 1.1 mcg vitamin B12

o Approved brands and flavors o Quarts, half gallons

Tofu

USDA requirements: o 100 mg of calcium per 100 g of tofu o No added fats, sugars, oils, or sodium o Any texture (soft or silken, regular, firm, medium firm, extra firm, super firm) o 8 oz, 14 to 16 oz packages Yogurt

USDA Requirements: o Must be pasteurized o ≤16g sugar per cup o No added granola, candy, nuts, honey, etc o No artificial sweeteners o Pasteurized cow’s milk (nonfat, low-fat, whole) o Organic store brands only o Approved Greek, flavored, and multipack yogurt brands o Single containers - 16 oz, 32 oz o Multipacks - 21.2 oz or 48 oz

Eggs

Not allowed: o Brown or white fresh chicken eggs o Organic store brands only o Cage-free or free-range

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.010 3 | P a g e o Liquid, powdered, or hard-boiled eggs o Pasture-raised o Specialty eggs (i.e., Omega-3) o One dozen (12 count) 100% Juice

USDA Requirements: o Must be pasteurized o Must be 100% juice (Fruit and/or Vegetable juice) o Must contain at least: - 30 mg Vitamin C per 100 mL o Any 100% fruit and/or vegetable juice or juice blends o Any pulp content o Added calcium or fiber o Approved organic brands o Any brand of 100% orange, pineapple, or grapefruit juice Breakfast Cereal

USDA Requirements o Must contain at least: - 28mg iron per 100g dry cereal - < 21.2g added sugar per 100g dry cereal

o Hot cereals - ready-to-eat, instant, and regular o Cold cereals - bagged or boxed o 9 oz to 36 oz

Dried or Canned Beans, Peas, Lentils

Not allowed: o Added sugar, fat, oil, meat, fruit or vegetable o Baked beans or bean soups o Green beans or peas – these can be purchased with the Fruit and Vegetable CVB o Any brand o Organics allowed o Regular, low-, or no-sodium allowed o Refried beans allowed with no added fat o Spices or seasonings are allowed o Dried beans, peas, and lentils – 16 oz, 32 oz, 48 oz packages o Canned beans, peas, and lentils – 15 oz to 16 oz packages Peanut Butter

Not allowed: o Add-ins such as jam, jelly, marshmallow, chocolate, honey or other similar ingredients are not allowed

o Any brand o Organic store brands o Creamy, crunchy, chunky, plain or reduced fat/sodium, unsalted forms allowed o 16 oz to 18 oz packages o Low-fat, reduced-fat, or reduced sodium o “Natural” Nut and Seed Butters

Not allowed: o Add-ins such as jam, jelly, marshmallow, chocolate, honey or o Approved brands only – almond butter o Creamy or chunky, regular, or reduced-fat, salted or unsalted forms allowed o Limited brand options for tahini, sunflower seed butter o 16 oz packages

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.010 4 | P a g e other similar ingredients are not allowed

Canned Fish

“Canned’ refers to processed food items in cans or other shelf-stable containers – cans, jars, or pouches are allowed o Any brand o Packed in water or oil o With bones or skin o Added spices, sauces, and flavorings o Regular or low sodium o 2.5 oz to 40 oz packages

Bread and Bread Products

USDA requirements: o Whole wheat must be the primary ingredient by weight o No added sugars, fats, or oils o 100% whole wheat bread, buns, and rolls o Whole grain breads – whole grain must be the primary ingredient by weight o Whole grain bread products – naan, English muffins, pita, bagels o 12 oz to 48 oz packages Whole Grains – Oats

Not allowed: o Added sugars, fats, or oils o Dry, plain whole oats o May be old-fashioned, quick, or instant o 12 oz to 48 oz packages Whole Wheat Pasta

USDA requirement o Whole wheat must be the primary ingredient by weight o No added sugars, fats, or oils o 100% Whole wheat pasta o Dry, plain, any shape o Organic allowed o 12 oz to 48 oz packages Whole Grains - Rice, Barley and Quinoa

Not allowed: Added sugars, fats, oils, or salts

o Any brand o 100% whole grain brown rice or barley o Organics allowed o 12 oz to 48 oz packages Whole Grains – Tortillas

Not allowed: o Added sugars, fats, or oils

o 100% whole wheat tortillas or corn tortillas o Soft tortillas only o 12 oz to 48 oz packages Infant Cereal

USDA requirement: o Must contain at least: - 45 mg iron per 100g dry cereal Not allowed: o Any brand o Organics allowed o Rice, Oatmeal, or Multigrain cereal o 8 oz or 16 oz packages

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.010 5 | P a g e o Added DHA o Added sugar, milk, fruit, or other non-cereal ingredients Infant Food Fruits and Vegetables

Not allowed: o Added sugars, starches, fats, oils, or sodium o Added DHA

o Any brand o Organics and Naturals allowed o Single fruits, single vegetables, or fruit + vegetable combinations o Texture may range from pureed through diced o Single serving- 2 oz to 4 oz packages o Multipacks- up to 128 oz packages

Infant Meats

Not allowed: o Added sugars, starches, fats, oils, or sodium o Added DHA

o Any brand o Organics and Naturals allowed o Any variety of infant food with a single major ingredient of chicken, turkey, beef, veal, lamb, or ham o May contain broth or gravy o Texture may range from pureed through diced o Single serving - 2.5 oz packages o Multipacks up to 77.5 oz packages

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Not Allowed: o Added sugars, fats, or oils o Artificial sugars o Frozen fruit cannot have added salt o Edible blossoms and flowers o Ketchup or other condiments o Vegetable-grain mixtures, fruit-nut mixtures, breaded vegetables, salad bar items, peanuts o Ornamental and decorative fruits and vegetables o Fruit baskets and party trays o Fruit muffins or other baked goods o Mature legumes (beans, lentils, etc.) o Plain fruits and vegetables o Organics allowed o Whole, cut, loose, bagged or plastic o Any immature beans (i.e. green beans, lima beans, succotash) o Fresh herbs

Canned Fruits and Vegetables

Not allowed: o Pickled vegetables, olives, soups o Creamed or sauced vegetables o Fruits packed in syrups or with artificial sugars o Organics allowed o Canned or jarred o May be seasoned with herbs and spices o Fruit or vegetable must be listed as the first ingredient o Canned fruits packed in 100% juice allowed o Canned immature beans, peas, or lentils (e.g. edamame, green beans, yellow wax beans)

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.010 6 | P a g e

Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

Not allowed: o Added sugars or oils o Frozen fruits cannot have added salt

o Organics allowed o May be seasoned with herbs and spices o Frozen vegetables may have added salt o Frozen beans (immature or mature) are allowed. Beans purchased with CVV may contain added vegetables and fruits, but may not contain added sugars, fats, oils, or meat as purchased. Canned beans, peas, or lentils may be regular or lower in sodium content. Dried Fruits and Vegetables

Not allowed: o No added sugars, oils, or salt

o Organics allowed

AUTHORIZED PRODUCT LIST The State Agency will additionally maintain an Approved Products List (APL), which lists the Universal Product Codes (UPCs) for each unique food item that meets the above specifications and is authorized in DC WIC. The APL file is disseminated daily to DC WIC authorized vendors to ensure their Point of Sales (POS) systems stay current on allowable food item redemption and ensure eWIC purchase of eligible WIC food items. Participants can check whether a specific food item is authorized and eligible for their purchase by scanning the UPC via the EzWIC mobile app prior to scanning the item at the POS system.

SUBMISSION OF NEW ELIGIBLE FOOD PRODUCTS New food items found to meet the above food item specifications may be considered for inclusion on the DC WIC Authorized Foods list if all required components below are submitted to info.vendor@dc.gov :

• Full UPC or PLU Code • Brand name and full name of product • Full product description, including container size • Picture: Front label • Picture: UPC barcode • Picture: Nutrition information • Picture: Ingredients

The State Agency will review each submission. If approved, the item will be added to the APL within three (3) business days.

REFERENCES 7 CFR 246.10