Federal Register #2026-12700

Final Rule: WIC Food Package Regulation Corrections and Extended Yogurt Vitamin D Fortification Deadline

This final rule from the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture updates and corrects WIC food package regulations: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration, Policy Division, Benefits and Certification Branch - Key Regulatory Changes: - Removes the requirement to fortify whole milk with vitamin D and A, as these are naturally present - Corrects typographical errors in regulatory tables for WIC food packages - Extends the compliance deadline for vitamin D fortification in yogurts (dairy and plant-based) by 36 months, allowing manufacturers more time to reformulate and relabel products - Products/Services Affected: - WIC-eligible supplemental foods, including: - Infant formula (must meet FDA standards, iron and calorie requirements) - Exempt infant formula (for special medical needs) - WIC-eligible nutritionals (for qualifying conditions) - Cows milk, goats milk, plant-based milk alternatives (with specific fortification and nutritional requirements) - Cheese (various types, must be domestic and pasteurized) - Yogurt (cows milk and plant-based, with added sugar and vitamin D requirements) - Tofu, juice, eggs, breakfast cereal, fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread and whole grain options, canned fish, mature legumes, peanut butter, nut and seed butters, infant foods (cereal, fruits, vegetables, meat) - Notable Requirements: - Yogurt (dairy and plant-based) must meet new vitamin D minimums by the extended deadline - Plant-based cheese alternatives are not authorized - Strict nutritional and ingredient standards apply to all WIC-eligible foods - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named, but yogurt manufacturers and producers of WIC-eligible foods are directly impacted - The rule aims to prevent disruptions for WIC agencies and participants by allowing more time for product reformulation

Description

This final rule corrects incorrect table entries in the WIC food package regulations and extends the implementation date for vitamin D fortification in yogurts by 36 months due to limited marketplace availability. The rule removes the requirement to fortify whole milk and corrects typographical errors in the regulations. The extension allows manufacturers additional time to reformulate yogurt products to meet the vitamin D requirement, avoiding disruptions to WIC State agencies and participants. The rule is effective June 24, 2026, and does not change any WIC policy or require advance notice for implementation.

View original listing