Policy memo (159.44 KB)
| DATE: | July 27, 2022 |
| SUBJECT: | Request for Additional WIC Flexibility in Response to the Impact of the Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and 2022 Abbott Recall on Nationwide Infant Formula Supply Chain Issues for Infants in Food Packages III– Maximum Monthly Allowance |
| TO: | All FNS Regional Offices All WIC State Agencies |
This letter is in response to correspondence from WIC state agencies requesting flexibility with regard to the maximum monthly allowance (MMA) requirements in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as a result of the impact of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula on the nationwide supply chain leading to both periodic location and product-based WIC infant formula shortages.
Applicable WIC state agencies individually requested waivers of WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.10(e)(9), Table 1, which set forth MMA requirements for issuance of WIC infant formula issued per medical documentation to participants receiving Food Package III. These state agencies cited significant impacts on the ability of participants to obtain contract brand infant formula due to low stock during the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula compounded by supply chain disruptions. USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) understands that replacing a recalled product within existing regulatory flexibilities in amounts consistent with WIC regulations is not feasible as state agencies quickly respond to the COVID-19 related nationwide infant formula supply chain issues that have been exacerbated by this recall. A waiver to provide administrative flexibility for infants in Food Package III to exceed the MMA removes a requirement that under current circumstances could prevent or impede the provision of essential program services to participants.
Pursuant to the authority granted under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 USC 5121-5207), FNS approves this waiver request for WIC state agencies listed in the attachment through the earlier of either Sept. 30, 2022 or the expiration date of the major disaster declaration in the affected area.
This waiver is only applicable to regulations at:
- 7 CFR 246.10(e)(9), which requires a maximum monthly allowance (MMA) for WIC formula. This includes 7 CFR 246.10(e)(9) Table 1 footnote 7, which requires state agencies to issue containers that are all the same size of the same physical form.
Under this waiver, the state agency must authorize and issue WIC formula containers in sizes that provide the full nutrition benefit and most closely provide the amount prescribed per medical documentation and the maximum monthly allowance.
This approval does not waive regulatory requirements for: (1) 7 CFR 246.10(d)(1), which require medical documentation for the issuance of any supplemental food issued to participants in Food Package III, including WIC formula; (2) 7 CFR 246.10(d)(4), which defines the technical requirements of medical documentation; (3) 7 CFR 246.10(d)(5), which prohibits WIC staff from assuming medical oversight and instruction for participants receiving supplemental foods that require medical documentation; and (4) 7 CFR 246.10(e)(3)(i), which defines the qualifying conditions for issuance of a WIC formula in food package III.
Following receipt of this waiver, the state agency will need to inform WIC staff, vendors and participants that substitutions should be made when the prescribed benefit is unavailable for purchase. The state agency must ensure participants receive clear instruction on how to select the correct number of containers of the prescribed WIC formula in the authorized sizes each month.
Unless a state agency has additional active FNS waivers, all other federal WIC requirements must be met. WIC state agencies must work with their legal counsel, procurement offices, and infant formula rebate contractors, as appropriate.
USDA FNS appreciates the WIC state agency's commitment to quickly responding to the COVID-19 related nationwide supply chain issues that have been exacerbated by this recall.
Sincerely,
DIANE KRIVISKI
Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs
- List of WIC state agencies that have been granted this waiver
Granted June 6, 2023
- West Virginia WIC
Granted Feb. 8, 2023
- Virginia WIC
Granted July 27, 2022
- Nebraska WIC
Granted July 20, 2022
- Puerto Rico WIC
Granted June 28, 2022
- Florida WIC
- Iowa WIC
Granted June 24, 2022
- Alaska WIC
- Kentucky WIC
Granted June 22, 2022
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians WIC
- Tennessee WIC
- Washington WIC
- Wisconsin WIC
Granted June 8, 2022
- Texas WIC
Granted June 3, 2022
- Idaho WIC
- Minnesota WIC
Granted June 2, 2022
- Arkansas WIC
- Osage Nation WIC
- Rhode Island WIC
- South Dakota WIC
Granted June 1, 2022
- Arizona WIC
- Chickasaw Nation WIC
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma WIC
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation WIC
- Connecticut WIC
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona WIC
- Navajo Nation WIC
- New Mexico WIC
- Oklahoma WIC
- Otoe-Missouria WIC
- Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware Tribes WIC
- Wyoming WIC
Granted May 31, 2022
- Colorado WIC
- Indiana WIC
- Montana WIC
- New York WIC
- Ohio WIC
- Vermont WIC
Granted May 27, 2022
- California WIC
- Michigan WIC
- New Hampshire WIC
Granted May 23, 2022
- Delaware WIC
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians WIC
- Massachusetts WIC
- North Carolina WIC
- Pennsylvania WIC
Granted May 19, 2022
- Oregon WIC