Changes to the Texas WIC Program
Texas WIC Program Product Approval Submittal changes effective with products considered for approval contract year October 1, 2012
This message is to announce several changes to the Texas WIC Approved Foods product submission process for products approved for the WIC Approved Food List for October 1, 2012.
1. We are excited to announce a new online submission system called Texas WIC Product Submission. The new system will require each company to apply for an account to enter products in the system (this will allow your contact and product information to remain in the system for the following year).
Only the following products need to be submitted through the new Texas WIC Product Submission system during the Open Enrollment period. These brands will be pictured on the Texas WIC Shopping Guide.
· Breakfast cereal (national brands only)
· Canned beans (national brands only)
2. The products listed below WILL NO LONGER be brand specific and WILL NOT need to be submitted through the new Texas WIC Product Submission system. If the product meets the federal regulation and state eligibility requirements, it will be added to the Texas WIC Approved Product List (APL) UPC database. To have products added to the Texas WIC APL, please see the procedures below for sending Texas WIC the product information.
PLEASE NOTE: For the above foods, brands that are currently approved and in the Texas WIC APL do not need to be resubmitted. These brands will continue to be approved for the new Texas WIC Shopping Guide (October 1, 2012); however, the brands will no longer be listed on the brochure. To view the brands that are currently approved, go to http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/approved_foods/new_foods.shtm to find the Texas WIC Shopping Guide (WIC-34).
3. For next year’s Approved Food List, Texas WIC will be approving fresh and frozen mixed fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables must meet the requirements listed below. If the product meets the eligibility requirements, it will be added to the Texas WIC APL. Mixed fruits and vegetables do not need to be submitted in the new Texas WIC Product Submission system. See the procedures below for sending Texas WIC the product information.
Mixed Fruits and Mixed Vegetables:
· Whole, precut, shredded or packaged
· No added sugar or artificial sweetener
· No potatoes of any kind (except yams and sweet potatoes)
· Packaged must not include: dressings, croutons or any other similar ingredients
· Any package type (box or bag)
· No added sugar or artificial sweetener
· No potatoes of any kind (except yams and sweet potatoes)
· With or without added salt
· Without sauces or creamed, breading, sugar, fats, oil, pasta, noodles, rice or any other ingredients.
To send product information and UPC codes for the Texas WIC APL, please send an email with the product image to Paula Kanter at [email protected] OR CD with images to:
Mailing address: OR Physical Address:
Paula Kanter Paula Kanter
Department of State Health Services Department of State Health Services
Nutrition Services MC 1933 4616 West Howard Lane Ste 840
P.O. Box 149347 Austin, Texas 78728
The enrollment for brand specific products (#1 above) is planned to be posted on April 2, 2012. A notification will be sent via email when the enrollment period opens. If this date changes, you will be notified.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact:
Paula Kanter, RD I WIC Nutrition Specialist
Texas Department of State Health Services
Nutrition Services Section
Ph 512-341-4574 I Fax 512-341-4419
www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/
