TO: Illinois WIC Vendors
FROM: Stephanie Bess, M.S., R.D., LDN
Chief, Bureau of Family Nutrition
SUBJECT: Illinois WIC Vendor Notice 24-01 - Authorized Food List Changes
DATE: February 2, 2024
We are pleased to inform you that the new 2024 WIC Authorized Food List has been finalized and is attached to this email. The updated Authorized Food List will also be available on our website in the coming weeks. The Authorized Product List (APL) is being updated to reflect these changes.
At this time, please do the following:
- Discard all copies of the Authorized Food List effective February 2022 at your store.
- Print and place a copy of the new WIC Authorized Food List (effective February 2024) at each register that accepts WIC transactions.
- If you cannot print the new WIC Authorized Food List, please get in touch with the WIC Vendor Relations Unit at DHS.WICVendor@illinois.gov and request how many copies you will need and if you need English or Spanish.
- Train your cashiers and store personnel about the new food list and items.
- Ensure WIC shelf or custom labels are updated to reflect new items added and removed from no longer WIC Eligible items to avoid customer confusion.
The summary of significant changes in the Illinois Authorized Food List, which has an effective date of February 2024, is outlined in the attached document.
Remember, when in doubt, SCAN the item and let the POS system work for you.
If you have any questions, contact our offices at DHS.WICVendor@illinois.gov or by phone at 844-901-0962 (leave a message with as much information as possible, and we will call you back within one business day).
| Category |
Changes |
New Allowed |
New Not Allowed |
| Overall |
- Redesigned layout to better accommodate space limitations.
- Brands are now listed in alphabetical order.
- Updated Non-discrimination statement.
|
|
|
| Cereals |
- All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes to Complete Bran
- Changed flavor name "Vanilla Bunches" to "Vanilla" under Honey Bunches of Oats.
|
- Cheerios Oat Crunch berry (18oz & 24oz)
- Honey Bunches of Oats Maple & Pecan (12oz)
- Great Grains Crunchy Pecan (16oz & 19oz)
- Great Grains Banana Nut (15.5oz & 18oz)
- Corn Flakes Honey (19.2oz)
- Store Brands added are Freedom's Choice, Kiggens, That's Smart
|
|
| Dairy |
- Removed vanilla as a flavor option for 8th Continent Soy Milk
|
- Old Home brand for Low-Fat and Nonfat Yogurt
|
- Not Included "yogurt with more than 40g sugar per cup"
|
| Juice - All |
- Store brand flavor options changed to Apple, Grape, Pineapple, Tomato/Vegetable only
|
- Single Flavor" requirement for all authorized juices*
- Store brands added are Always Save, Freedom's Choice, Shurfine
|
- Removed Pineapple from any brand flavor options
- Not Allowed fruit juice blends, added sugar, artificial sweetener, or stevia
|
| Juice - 48oz container / 12oz frozen |
- Changed Juicy Juice All flavors to Juicy Juice Apple flavor only
|
|
|
| Juice - 64oz container |
- Brands with apple flavor only are Mott's, Juicy Juice, Tree Top, Indian Summer & Musselman's
- Langers brand changed to only include Orange, Apple, Grape, Red Grape, White Grape, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Tomato, Vegetable, and Vegetable Low Sodium
- Old Orchard brand changed to only include Apple, Grape, White Grape, and Orange
- Everfresh brand changed to only include Orange and Apple
|
|
- Northland brand removed as an authorized brand
|
| Canned Fruits |
|
|
Not Allowed: Added sugar, artificial sweetener, stevia, and pouches. |
* Note that this change means that only Juicy Juice Apple will be Authorized moving forward, as all other flavors in this brand use a mixture of juices even though the name of the juice may only contain a single flavor.
