WIC Approved Food

If you are a Missouri WIC participant or retailer, see the food list information provided below:

WIC Approved Food List - Effective Oct. 1, 2018 NEW
Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Hindu, Hmong, Korean, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese

• WIC Approved Food - Education Resources
• WIC Food Package Final Rule Resources

The retailer reference guide 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. .

Links to the Missouri WIC APL are found below.  One list contains Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and descriptions for items not included in the fruit and vegetable cash value benefit.  The second list contains only fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables that are eligible for purchase with the cash value benefit.  Retailers must map (link) fresh produce according to guidance below. 

These lists are 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 that are authorized to accept eWIC cards will be required to download the APL every 48 hours.

Missouri APL

Missouri Fresh-Frozen Fruits and Vegetables APL

*Note: WIC staff are actively collecting UPCs.  There may be products that are Missouri WIC approved 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.  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 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 573-751-6204 or MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov.

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.