The vast body of nutrition science demonstrates that nutritious dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese are especially important in the diets of women, infants, and children.ĭairy is a source of 13 nutrients, including three of the four nutrients (calcium, potassium, and vitamin D) of public health concern as noted by the DGA, which is why dairy has always played a significant role in the WIC program.

population does not consume enough dairy to meet dietary recommendations. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) note that a staggering nearly 90% of the U.S. Most importantly, USDA’s decision to cut WIC benefits for the purchases of milk and dairy flies in the face of the latest nutrition science and dietary guidance from the USDA itself. Without a reversal from USDA, WIC mothers and children will have to adapt to live with reduced dairy benefits for many years to come. Department of Agriculture (USDA) threatens to cut the benefits provided to WIC beneficiaries to purchase milk and other dairy products, thereby reducing access to critical nutrients at a time of high food cost inflation and declining food security. It is a pivotal program in our nation’s nutrition security safety net and an important means for millions of Americans to access nutritious dairy products for their families. Since the 1970s, the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, has provided American moms, babies, and young children with specialized packages of nutritious foods and nutrition education. Scimeca has extensive technical regulatory and scientific expertise that includes over 33 years of industry experience.

Joseph Scimeca, Ph.D., leads IDFA’s Regulatory and Scientific Affairs team.

Wic yogurt