Missouri WIC announced a new, temporary waiver Friday that will allow the purchase of alternative infant formula types using WIC benefits during the Abbott infant formula recall event. This temporary waiver allows Missouri WIC to issue additional non-contract brands of formula that participants may select if their Similac formula is not available at authorized WIC retailers. Participants may begin to purchase these alternative brands and types of infant formula as early as Feb. 25, 2022, depending on each individual retailer’s completion of the process for the preparation of non-contract formula sales.
This waiver allows each WIC participant to select from equivalent brands at the retailer should the non-recalled Similac formula be unavailable. Participants are asked to select the Similac brand formula first, where available.
Most WIC participants who already have formula benefits issued to their eWIC card will not have to return to their WIC local agency to redeem the alternate formula types at the retailer. If a participant wants to change their issued formula type, they will need to return to their WIC local agency.
The approved alternatives to Similac products are listed below.
Issued Formula Type | Alternate Formula Type |
| 12.4 oz Similac Advance Powder | 12.5 oz Enfamil Infant Powder |
| 12.4 oz Enfamil Reguline Powder | |
| 12.5 oz Parent’s Choice Infant Powder | |
| 12.4 oz Parent’s Choice Advantage Powder | |
| 12.7 oz Nestle NAN 1 Pro Infant Powder | |
| 12.6 oz Similac Total Comfort Powder | 12.4 oz Enfamil Gentlease Powder |
| 12 oz Parent’s Choice Gentle Powder | |
| 12.7 oz Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder | |
| 12.5 oz Similac for Spit Up Powder | 12.9 oz Enfamil A.R. Powder |
| 12.5 oz Similac Sensitive Powder | 12 oz Parent’s Choice Sensitivity Powder |
| 12.4 oz Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powder | |
| 12.4 oz Similac Soy Isomil Powder | 12.9 oz Enfamil ProSobee Powder |
| 32 oz Similac Advance Ready To Feed | 32 oz Enfamil Infant Ready To Use |
| 13 oz Similac Advance Concentrate | 13 oz Enfamil Infant Concentrate |
Missouri WIC will continue to provide updates of any program changes to ensure the program offers the most options possible for WIC infants.
Typically, WIC federal regulations prohibit non-contract formula unless there is a medically-documented need for an exempt formula. Missouri WIC received a waiver to this requirement in response to shortages caused by the Abbott recall.
Missourians interested in learning about the benefits of WIC may visit the Missouri WIC website, or call TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465 to find the WIC local agency in their county.
WIC is funded by the USDA and is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
