Soyfoods in the WIC Food Packages - Implementation Info.
Soyfoods, such as fortified soymilk (soy milk) and calcium-set tofu, are excellent sources of calcium for growing children. Because soyfoods are a high quality protein, free of saturated fats and cholesterol, soy products are a tasty, healthy option for kids.
The WIC food packages, a federal supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children, has recently released a interim final rule. For the first time, the USDA WIC food packages include soyfoods. Fortified soy beverages (“soymilk”), calcium-set tofu, and whole and canned soybeans will be options for women and children who benefit from the WIC food packages. By including these alternative sources of calcium in the WIC food packages the USDA has created a more flexible program that better serves the diverse WIC population.
Although fortified soymilk and tofu will be readily available to pregnant and lactating women, children in the WIC program will need to have medical documentation to receive fortified soymilk and tofu as dairy alternatives. Despite 2,107 comments opposing the proposed medical documentation for children to receive soy-based beverages, USDA retained this additional administrative burden for WIC centers.
More information on the revised WIC Food Packages:
- USDA Interim Final Rule on WIC Food Packages (pdf)
- The Soyfoods Association of North America’s Comments to USDA on Proposed Rule (pdf)
- Press Release: USDA Recommends Soyfoods in Revised WIC Packages
- USDA Food and Nutrition Services - WIC Homepage
- National WIC Association
Information for implementation of the WIC Food Package changes regarding soyfoods:
Please contact SANA with implementation questions and requests for information (RFI’s) on soy products by e-mailing members@soyfoods.org.
