What U.S. government body establishes the initial, minimum federal requirements that all state WIC food lists must meet?
Answer
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The foundational framework for the entire WIC food program, dictating what items are eligible across the nation, rests with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA establishes the minimum federal standards that every state WIC agency must incorporate into their own localized food lists. Although state agencies always retain the power to enforce stricter criteria than these federal floors, they are fundamentally bound by the USDA's initial baseline requirements concerning nutritional equivalence and food definitions, ensuring a universal minimum standard for approved products like canned fish.
Related Questions
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