WIC whole grain options would expand under proposals
WASHINGTON — Expanding the number of grains that qualify as whole grain options and expanding the number of whole grain products that qualify were among changes the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service on Nov. 17 proposed to make to its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Whole grain options under the proposals would expand to include quinoa, wild rice, millet, triticale, amaranth, Kamut, sorghum and wheat berries. Whole grains products would expand to include tortillas made with folic acid-fortified corn masa flour, corn meal, teff, buckwheat, and whole wheat pita, English muffins, bagels and naan. The changes would accommodate individual or cultural preferences as well as special dietary needs such as those brought on by allergies, according to the USDA.
All the proposed WIC revisions incorporate recommendations from the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and…