With the nationwide baby formula shortage coming to an end, February is the last month that alternative infant formula brands will be offered to families under the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), says the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The change comes as Texas WIC begins its five-year contract with Enfamil manufacturer Mead Johnson.
The end to formula flexibilities follows a shortage that prompted many families to switch to alternative brands.
Starting in March, patients using formula brands from different manufacturers will be required to transition to contract products, including Enfamil Infant, Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil A.R., Enfamil, Reguline, and Abbot Laboratories’ soy formula Similac Soy Isomil.
WIC will not accept medical requests for other brand-equivalents after February, such as milk-based equivalents from Similac, Good Start, store labels, or imported brands.
However, therapeutic formulas, such as premature transitional, hypoallergenic, or elemental formulas, will not be affected by the change and are available with a completed medical request. Additional formula products such as toddler formulas, increased calorie supplements, and metabolic formulas are also still available.
WIC has temporary options and sizes available if Enfamil Infant, Enfamil Gentlease, or Similac Soy Isomil powdered formulas are not available at the store. If Enfamil A.R. or Enfamil Reguline are not available at the store, Texas WIC suggests patients contact their local WIC office to discuss formula options.
Texas WIC has a printable handout available to aid families as they change formulas. If a child does not tolerate the switch, the WIC program will exchange any unopened, unused cans of formula for a different WIC contract standard formula within the same month that it was purchased.
Monthly formula quantities, which are determined by federally set program limits and vary based on an infant’s age and breastfeeding frequency, will remain the same. Large can options of contract brands will be available through March 31 as standard sizes are unavailable.
For questions or more information, including in Spanish, contact the DSHS WIC Food and Formula department.
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469