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Revised WIC Program Supports Three Servings of Dairy

SACRAMENTO, CA—December 12, 2007–For the first time in over 25 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revised its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages to align with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations. The amounts and variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains have been increased.

In order to accommodate additional foods without increasing total program costs, however, the new food packages reduce the maximum amounts of several foods, including dairy, juice and eggs. However, the new WIC food packages continue to support the important role of nutrient-rich dairy foods as part of a healthy, balanced diet, providing three daily servings for most women in the program and two daily servings for children under age five, which is consistent with recommendations made for these groups in the DGA.

For individuals with lactose intolerance, the new food packages allow for lactose-reduced/lactose-free milk. In addition, extra cheese substitutions can be made with medical documentation. Medical documentation is also needed for children to substitute soy or tofu for milk to ensure that the child’s health care provider is aware that the child may be at nutritional risk when milk is replaced by other foods. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines state, and health professionals agree, that milk alternatives within the milk group, such as low-fat cheese and lactose-free milk, are the easiest and most reliable way for those sensitive to lactose to derive the health benefits associated with milk and milk products.

Dairy Council of California is committed to helping educate California WIC participants about the health benefits of dairy foods as part of a healthy diet. Dairy foods supply a unique package of nutrients including calcium, potassium and magnesium, considered “nutrients of concern” by the DGA* because they are lacking in the diets of many Americans, including WIC participants. In fact, milk is the primary source of these nutrients in the diets of children 2 to 18 years of age, along with phosphorous, riboflavin, vitamin A and vitamin B-12.¹

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that children and adults enjoy three cups of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products every day. Additionally, the U.S. Surgeon General recommends consuming three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods and the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend consuming three to four daily servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods.²,³,⁴

For further information about WIC or the recent revisions in its food packages, visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkg.htm

*Editor’s note about nutrients of concern: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines identified seven “nutrients of concern” for adults and five “nutrients of concern” for children. ⁵

• Dairy foods supply four of the seven “nutrients of concern” for which American adults have low intakes: vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
• Dairy foods supply three of the five nutrients of concern for which children have low intakes: calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

About Dairy Council
Dairy Council of California develops nutrition education programs designed to be personally relevant to each user. Making healthy food choices from all food groups and including daily physical activity are the foundation for lifelong health and wellness. Healthy Eating Made Easier®.

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