WIC Approved Food

The WIC Retailer Food and Formula Reference Guide below is used by warehouses, stores, and pharmacies to ensure that they are allowing the current approved formulas. The guide also provides the current food descriptions for the WIC-approved food items to assist in the training of store personnel.

• WIC Retailer Food and Formula Reference Guide 1/2021

The Missouri WIC APL contains Universal Product Codes (UPCs), Price Look-Ups (PLUs), item descriptions, corresponding category and subcategory information, and effective dates of authorization. As a reminder, retailers must map (link) fresh produce according to guidance in the WIC-Approved Fresh Produce Price Look-Up (PLU) Codes for Mapping section below.

This list is intended for informational purposes and can be utilized for eWIC readiness or current WIC purchase transactions. Missouri WIC will update these lists on a regular basis. Retailers authorized to accept eWIC cards will be required to download the APL from the eWIC processor every 48 hours.

Missouri WIC APL (Updated 03/15/2020)

*Note: WIC staff are actively collecting UPCs.  There may be products that are approved by Missouri WIC, but not currently listed on the Missouri WIC APL.  Instructions for submitting products for the Missouri WIC APL will be added soon.

Missouri WIC utilizes full mapping. Retailers are required to map (link) fresh produce to like or similar International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) product specific PLU codes.  Frozen, dried, or canned fruits and vegetables are NOT to be mapped (linked). A link to a list of conventional and organic PLU codes included in the Missouri WIC APL is below. 

Missouri WIC PLU Codes for Mapping (Linking)

The codes “4469” and “94469” known as the Generic WIC PLU Codes are included in the Missouri WIC APL and are to be used by retailers who have stand-beside devices.

Full mapping must be completed and maintained by the retailer for fresh produce that have PLUs and UPCs. 
Examples of full mapping are below.

• For single item fresh produce, choose one (1) of the product specific PLUs for mapping.
• UPC 033383666044 – Bag of carrots can be mapped to:
• PLU 4094 – CARROTS – BUNCH
• PLU 4560 – CARROTS – BABY (if carrots are baby carrots)
• PLU 4562 – CARROTS – LOOSE (if carrots are loose)
• PLU 4563 – CARROTS – CARROT STICKS (if carrots are cut up)
• PLU 94094 – CARROTS –BUNCH (if carrots are organic)
• For mixed fresh produce items, choose one (1) of the product specific PLUs for one (1) of the fruits or vegetables in the package for mapping.
• Container (five (5) ounces or larger) of cut fruit (mixture of strawberries, pineapple, and honeydew) can be mapped to:
• PLU 3355 – BERRIES - STRAWBERRIES
• PLU 4029 – PINEAPPLE SMALL
• PLU 4034 – MELON – HONEYDEW/WHITE HONEYDEW LARGE

Missouri WIC-eligible fresh produce items that have retailer assigned UPCs with a prefix of four (4) or nine (9) and random weight food items identified with a UPC prefix of two (2) must be mapped to a like or similar product specific PLU. 

Note, if a store produces their own version of sauces or condiments, (e.g., fresh salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo) these food products are not eligible and should NOT be mapped (linked) or allowed for WIC customer purchase.

Information regarding full mapping requirements is located in the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Operating Rules Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Section 11.3.  Additional details regarding PLU codes, are available through the IFPS website.

Questions

Contact Missouri WIC state agency retailer staff with questions regarding the Missouri WIC APL at WICfoods@health.mo.gov or at 573-751-6204.

Below are links to information guiding the evaluation and inclusion of WIC-eligible food items in the Missouri WIC Approved Food List and Approved Product List (APL).

WIC Food Package Final Rule Resources

WIC Operations Manual Food Package Section
Policy 2.06700 Food Selection Criteria

WIC Retailer Manual
Section VI: WIC-Approved Foods

In April of 2015, Missouri WIC also provided the following additional guidance regarding the fresh and frozen fruit and vegetable cash value benefit and potato products (e.g., diced potatoes, french fries, hash brown patties, potato rounds, shredded hash browns, tator tots).

Fresh or frozen potato products are NOT allowed if they contain added fats, oils, seasonings, or sugars*.

*Added sugars include: corn syrup, dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, maltose, maple syrup, and sucrose.

Examples:

The Missouri WIC program is currently not accepting product submissions for the Missouri WIC Approved Food List. Information for manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors who are interested in submitting products for evaluation and potential authorization will be available on this website when the application period reopens.

Questions

Contact Missouri WIC state agency staff with questions at WICfoods@health.mo.gov or at 573-751-6204.