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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Texas Department of State Health Services
Nutrition Services Section, MC 1933
P.O. BOX 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
WIC-Eligible Yogurt and
Whole Wheat Macaroni
(Pasta) Products
NOTICE OF OPEN ENROLLMENT
ESBD#: 537-15-0000141276
Issue Date: October 17, 2014
Close Date: November 6, 2014
Class/Item: 967-38
WIC OE – Approved Foods
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
Purpose and Overview................................................................................. 3
Background ................................................................................................ 3
II. List of Eligible Foods ................................................................................... 3
III. Food Specifications ..................................................................................... 4
Yogurt (cow’s milk) ..................................................................................... 4
Whole wheat macaroni (pasta) products....................................................... 4
IV. Open Enrollment Response Instructions ........................................................ 5
V. Selection Methodology ................................................................................. 6
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I.
PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC),
administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Nutrition
Services Section, herein referred to as Texas WIC, is issuing this Notice of Open
Enrollment to request applications from manufacturers, brand owners, brokers and
agents (a company submitting on behalf of a manufacturer or brand owner) that can
meet the criteria for national brands of WIC-eligible yogurt and whole wheat pasta. All
brands submitted will be reviewed for potential inclusion in the Texas WIC Approved
Foods effective April 2015.
For purposes of this Open Enrollment, these foods are considered WIC-eligible if they
meet the regulations issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and
meet the Texas WIC established criteria which include Texas WIC-specific nutritional
standards, container size, and cost. WIC food packages are regulated by the USDA.
Note: Food specifications and pricing guidelines stated in this Open Enrollment are valid
for the period of the Open Enrollment. Food specification and pricing guidelines are
subject to change at the discretion of Texas WIC should USDA or Texas WIC policy
change after the Open Enrollment period ends.
BACKGROUND
The WIC Program is funded by the USDA. The Program’s intent is to provide nutritious
foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals for health care sources to
low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children
up to age five who are at nutritional risk. WIC is a federally funded program. To be
eligible on the basis of income, applicants for the WIC Program must have an income
that falls at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.
Texas WIC serves approximately 900,000 participants. Of these, approximately 220,000
are infants, 440,000 children, 90,000 pregnant women, 105,000 breastfeeding women
and 45,000 non-breastfeeding postpartum women. Food benefits are provided via an
electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system. Benefits are loaded onto the WIC Lone Star
Card. The card specifies the quantity and types of food that may be purchased at an
authorized retail grocery by each participant.
After an authorized vendor completes a transaction with a WIC participant, the
information is submitted electronically to the State of Texas for payment. During fiscal
year (FY) 2013, Texas paid retail grocers approximately $577 million for WIC-eligible
foods.
II.
LIST OF ELIGIBLE FOODS
Instructions for responding to this open enrollment are provided in Section IV of this
document.
A.
Yogurt (Cow’s Milk)
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B.
III.
Whole Wheat Macaroni Products (Pasta)
FOOD SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications for each of the foods for which applications will be accepted:
A.
B.
Yogurt (Cow’s Milk)
1.
Must be a national brand, i.e., a brand that is marketed and distributed
nationally.
2.
Package size must be 32 ounce container.
3.
Must be pasteurized and conform to FDA standard of identity for wholefat (21 CFR 131.200), low-fat (21 CFR 131.203) or non-fat yogurt (21
CFR 131.206).
4.
Must not contain more than 33 grams of total sugars per 8 ounce (1 cup)
serving.
5.
Plain or flavored. Yogurt flavors may include: blueberry, peach, raspberry,
strawberry, strawberry banana, and vanilla. Approved flavors will be
determined after the enrollment period closes.
6.
Higher consideration and preference will be given to brands of yogurt
that are fortified with vitamin A and D.
7.
Information is requested on live and active cultures, organic, Greek
yogurt, and non-nutritive sweeteners for informational purposes only.
8.
No yogurts with mixed-in ingredients such as granola, candy pieces,
honey, nuts and similar ingredients. Drinkable yogurts are not allowed.
9.
Price must not exceed the maximum pricing guideline $3.50 per
container.
Whole Wheat Macaroni (Pasta) Products
1.
Must be a national brand, i.e., a brand that is marketed and distributed
nationally.
2.
Package size must be 16 ounce package.
3.
Must conform to FDA standard of identity for whole wheat macaroni
products (21 CFR Part 139.138).
4.
Whole wheat flour and/or whole wheat durum flour must be the only
flours in the ingredient list.
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IV.
5.
Types may include: spaghetti, macaroni, rotini, and penne. Approved
types will be determined after the enrollment period closes.
6.
No added sugars, fats, oils or salt (i.e. sodium).
7.
May be packaged in a bag or box.
8.
Price must not exceed the maximum pricing guideline $2.00 per package.
OPEN ENROLLMENT RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS
To begin the Open Enrollment process to have your products considered for the Texas
WIC Approved Foods List, applicants must apply for or have an established company
account and submit products through the Texas WIC Product Submission (TWPS) online
system at: http://texaswic.dshs.state.tx.us:4556/Home/UserAuthentication/LogOn
A.
B.
Manufacturers or Broker/Agents New to Texas WIC Product Submission
1.
Manufacturers submitting products for themselves must apply for an
account, set-up contact information, add other individuals who will need
to have access to the account (if applicable) and manage their own
products.
2.
Manufacturers using a broker or agent (company or individual
representing one or more brands) to submit products on their
behalf must apply for an account as well as the broker/agent to
establish a link between the accounts and authorize the broker.
This allows the manufacturer to authorize and view product
submittals. Each account will enter contact information and add
other individuals who will need access to the account. For
instructions on how to set up an account, a User Guide is available
at the link listed above. For questions, contact Paula Kanter at
[email protected].
Manufacturers or Broker/Agents with Established Accounts in the
online Texas WIC Product Submission (TWPS)
Manufacturers and brand owners using a broker or agent with an established
account can submit products by entering the TWPS with the current user name
and password (contact Paula Kanter at [email protected] if user
name is needed or password needs to be reset).
C.
Product information must be submitted through the Texas WIC Product
Submission online system. Digital images of the front and back of labels that
show the product name, nutrition facts, ingredients and the Universal Product
Code (UPC) for each food item must also be uploaded to the online system. For
questions, contact Paula Kanter at [email protected].
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D.
If available, mail or email ACNielsen, Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) or
other market data information to:
Department of State Health Services
Attention: Paula Kanter
Nutrition Services Section – MC 1933
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
V.
E.
Applicants will be notified if the products submitted through the online system
are approved or denied.
F.
Due Date: Applications may be submitted at any time after this Notice is posted
to the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) and must be received by close of
business on November 6, 2014.
G.
For more information or questions, contact Paula Kanter via email at:
[email protected], or contact Tonia Swartz at:
[email protected].
Selection Methodology
All applications meeting specifications will be accepted during the 21-day enrollment
period. Any national brand of yogurt or whole wheat macaroni product (pasta) meeting
the food specifications will be approved. One or multiple compliant brands will be
named.
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