attachment-42-rfb-2027-dph-01-formu-ct-return.pdf
PDF 24 KB Posted
- Attached to
- NEATO/WIC Retail Infant Formula Rebate Agreement
- Solicitation number
- RFB -2028-DPH-01-FORMU
- Issued by
- New Hampshire
About this file
This is a policy document from the Connecticut Department of Public Health WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program, specifically addressing the WIC Formula Return Policy in accordance with Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) guidelines and federal regulatory requirements. The policy establishes procedures for handling infant formula that is returned by WIC participants, prohibiting the reissuance or donation of returned formula regardless of condition. Local WIC agencies are instructed to discard all returned formula in a manner that prevents human consumption, with specific disposal methods outlined based on formula type: concentrate and ready-to-use formula may be poured down the drain, while powder formula may be discarded in any trash receptacle. The policy explicitly prohibits local agencies from acting as WIC vendors to issue supplemental formula amounts beyond those listed on the Family Benefits List and requires that participants purchase formula exclusively from FDA-registered facilities to ensure safety compliance with federal regulations including 7 CFR 246.4(a)(14)(xviii) and the Food Safety Modernization Act.
The document emphasizes that formula purchased with WIC benefits must be returned to the local agency rather than retail stores, as vendors are contractually obligated to only exchange identical approved WIC food items when original items are defective or expired. The policy provides guidance for reducing formula returns through participant education on cautious redemption practices, instruction to purchase formula in small increments until tolerance is established, and tailoring of infant formula prescriptions based on assessed nutritional needs. Local agencies are also prohibited from accepting donated formula from external sources or reissuing lost WIC benefits through stock formula replacement; instead, lost benefits must be replaced through a new eWIC card under separate policy guidelines.
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Text version
Revised 2-2019
Connecticut WIC Program Manual WIC 400-15
SECTION: Food Delivery
SUBJECT: WIC Formula Return Policy
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Food Package Policy and Guidance of March 2018
Background
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) does not recommend reissuing or donating unused/returned WIC formula, including donating formula to an animal shelter or a farm. This approach ensures safety, meets the Federal regulatory requirement at 7 CFR 246.4 (a)(14)(xviii) that participants only obtain WIC infant formulas from facilities that are registered with FDA, and satisfies the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism preparedness and Response Act as well as the Food Safety Modernization Act.
POLICY
It must not be the practice of the WIC local agency to act in the role of a WIC vendor and issue contract standard formulas above the supplemental amounts listed on the Family Benefits List for eWIC benefits, to WIC participants on a routine basis, for several reasons:
• Jeopardizes WIC’s role to promote and support breastfeeding
• Requires more oversight and management to ensure safety of stock formula
• Liability stemming from unsafe formula
• May result in participants being issued excess program benefits
Formula purchased with WIC benefits must not be returned to any retail store, as WIC vendors have agreed to the following as per the WIC Vendor Agreement:
Only make exchanges of an identical approved WIC food item when the original WIC food item is defective, spoiled, or has exceeded its “sell by,” “best if used by” or other date limiting the sale or use of the food item. An identical approved WIC food item means the exact brand and size as the original WIC food item purchased and returned by the participant. Never provide cash or credit refunds or permit exchanges for non-WIC foods obtained with WIC benefits.
Formula purchased with WIC benefits must be returned to the local agency. However, local agencies should understand that reissuance of formula returned by participants is not permitted, since the local agency cannot guarantee that is was not tampered with or that it was stored properly.
Storage of formulas at improper temperatures, can cause alteration of nutrients, thereby impacting the product’s safety which puts the participant’s health in jeopardy.
Guidance:
The local agency must not reissue returned formula.
All returned formula must be discarded in such a way to prevent human consumption.
• Open returned container and discard contents fully, followed by the canister
Revised 2-2019
• Concentrate and RTU can be poured down the drain
• Powder can be discarded in any trash receptacle
What if a participant loses the eWIC benefit card?
WIC benefits can be reissued under a new eWIC card at any time. See WIC Policy 400-08: Theft and/or Loss of eWIC cards.
Do not provide the stock formula that you have on hand as a replacement for WIC formula benefits that a participant loses.
Donated Formula:
Local agency shall NOT accept donated formula. In addition, local agencies should never accept returns of opened, damaged or expired cans.
Tips for reducing formula returns and/or formula sales:
Educate participants on how to redeem their formula benefits: When tolerance of formula has not been well established, the authorized person should be instructed to redeem the formula cautiously. Instruct the participant to buy formula in small increments until tolerance is well established.
Tailor WIC Formulas when indicated: Infant formula for partially breastfeeding infants should be tailored after a careful assessment of nutritional needs by CPA.
Any WIC formula in Food Package III for infants, children and women should be tailored based on the assessed needs, and not exceed the nutritional needs of the participant. (Refer to WIC 300-02 Food Package Prescription/Food Package Tailoring Guidelines)
Review the Participants Right and Responsibilities: Local Agency staff should carefully explain that attempting to sell, trade or donate WIC food benefits (including formula) constitutes a participant violation, and that any unused formula must be returned to the WIC Program.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .