Why does the WV WIC* Program not allow cow's milk for WIC
participants until one year of age?
Why does the WV WIC* Program not allow reduced fat milk
for WIC participants until two years of age?
For more information about what food items are in the WIC food packages
go to
WIC Food Standards
Why does the WV WIC Program not allow cow's milk for WIC
participants until one year of age?
The WV WIC Program does not allow cow's milk before the age of one. The
Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
recommends the consumption of breast milk or iron-fortified infant
formula, along with age-appropriate solid foods and juices, during the
first twelve months of life. The AAP recommends that whole cow’s milk and
low-iron formulas not be used during the first year of life (AAP, The Use
of Whole Cow’s Milk in Infancy, Pediatrics, 1992, 89:1105-1109).
Please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator for the WV WIC
Program at 304-558-0030 with any questions.
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Why does the WV WIC Program not allow reduced fat milk for
WIC participants until two years of age?
The WV WIC Program food packages for children age 12 to 23 months only
offer whole milk. Per recommendations of the Expert Panel on Blood
Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adolescents (National Cholesterol
Education Program/NIH), The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on
Nutrition, and The American Heart Association Nutrition Committee, fat and
cholesterol should not be restricted during the first two years of life (AAP,
Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 1993, page 44; NIH, Report of the Expert
panel on Blood Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adolescents, 1991, page
1).
Please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator for the WV WIC
Program at 304-558-0030 with any questions.
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