The USDA, FDA, and other federal partners continue to work diligently to protect the health infants who are fed using infant formula.
Follow up to letter dated May 24, 2022 and recent listening sessions with state health commissioners and WIC state agencies.
USDA letter to State Health Commissioners whose WIC state agency holds an infant formula rebate contract with either Mead Johnson-Reckitt or Nestle Gerber.
Letter to reiterate the flexibilities that USDA has made available to all WIC state agencies and to urge all states to take additional action to make it easier for families to get the formula they need.
This letter is in response to correspondence from WIC state agencies using offline Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) technology or paper food instruments, and requesting program flexibility from the WIC program federal requirements as a result of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula, exempt infant formula, and WIC-eligible nutritionals on the nationwide supply chain leading to both periodic location- and product-based WIC infant formula and exempt infant formula shortages.