USDA Grants Additional WIC Flexibilities Amid Recall
U.S. Department of Agriculture
WASHINGTON – (News Release) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Feb.23rd that it has granted additional flexibilities in response to the impact of the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula provided through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
In response to the recall, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is strongly encouraging WIC agencies in affected states, territories and tribal nations to take immediate action to ensure that WIC participants can exchange their recalled baby formula and can use WIC benefits to purchase product that has not been recalled. FNS has offered WIC agencies the opportunity to request waivers of certain WIC regulations to offer maximum flexibility to address this issue.
The following waivers have been offered to WIC agencies:
FNS is working closely with WIC agencies as they review and implement these flexibilities, in coordination with their vendors and local offices. FNS is issuing these waivers under the authority provided by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
“We are committed to providing WIC participants with access to a variety of safe and healthy foods, including infant formula,” said FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “We applaud the WIC community’s quick response to ensure they have the flexibilities needed to quickly respond to the COVID-19 related nationwide supply chain issues that have been exacerbated by this recall.”
FNS has issued reminders about options for returns and exchanges of recalled product and has posted several resources on infant formula safety.
