Michigan WIC to Transition Back to Similac Formulas March 1

Thursday, February 2, 2023

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the Michigan Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program is transitioning back to its contract for Similac brand formulas starting March 1 as supply chain issues have been resolved.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service is ending its flexibility of providing non-contract formula effective Feb. 28. States had been allowed to provide clients access to infant formula brands outside of state contracts as the nation faced infant formula shortages due to a recall.

"It is USDA's expectation that these extensions of flexibilities for non-contract formulas will be the final extensions, barring a significant change in the status of formula supply and availability," said Christina Herring, WIC director. "We will continue to monitor availability of infant formula, along with our federal partners, to ensure WIC participants have access to nutrition for their babies."

This expectation is based on Abbott's recent production levels and its ability to supply sufficient stock of Similac product for the WIC market. USDA will continue to work with Abbott, the Food and Drug Administration and other stakeholders to monitor Similac product availability for WIC participants. If significant changes in Similac production or availability occur, USDA will engage Abbott and share any updates to this timeline with WIC state agencies.

Starting March 1, Michigan WIC will return to the following Similac WIC contract formulas:

Similac Advance
Similac Total Comfort
Similac Sensitive
Similac Isomil Soy

WIC clients and vendors started receiving notification of this upcoming change beginning Wednesday.

WIC is a nutrition program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other community programs to improve and support clients' health and well-being. To learn more about WIC or to find an agency near you, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/wic or call 211.