USDA Proposes Addition of Brown Rice to WIC Food Packages

WASHINGTON, August 8, 2006 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service yesterday announced proposed changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages that for the first time would add brown rice to the packages as an allowable substitute for whole grain bread.

“Accomplishing a fundamental policy change takes a great deal of effort, and the proposed changes represent a significant step in the right direction,” said Charles Trahan, USA Rice Federation Domestic Promotion Committee chairman. “USA Rice has worked hard for the last two years to secure the inclusion of brown rice in the revised packages,” Trahan said.

This change, when adopted, will effectively open a new market for rice.

The Federal Register notice of proposed changes to WIC reflects recommendations made by the National Academies of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under the proposal, the food packages would be revised to add new foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while amounts of some current foods would be modified.

“While we are pleased with this proposal, USA Rice in its formal comments will ask for brown rice to be a primary rather than substitute whole grain because of its nutritional and economic advantages,” Trahan said. USA Rice commissioned research demonstrating the specific nutritional benefits of brown rice to the WIC population supports this request. Additional research through Tufts University shows the nutritional superiority and cost-effectiveness of brown rice over other whole grains.

USA Rice commissioned research to demonstrate the specific nutritional benefits of brown rice to the WIC population, and additional research through Tufts University to show the nutritional superiority and cost-effectiveness of brown rice over other whole grains.

WIC provides nutritious supplemental foods to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. The program also provides nutrition education and referrals to health and social services. About 8 million participants receive WIC benefits each month. Federal food costs for the program were $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2005.

Read the full report in the Federal Register.

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Contacts: Anne Banville, (703) 236-1456 and David Coia, (703) 236-2300

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.