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CWPMA/RMFIA notes: The Department maintains a comprehensive list of all qualified WIC eligible products.

The below RFI is primarily in response to the new classes of products that could be added. As most of the products the association members sell are not direct sourced, this is a requirement primarily on the wholesalers and distributors, that said - the Department has indicated they will review any product on merit (Cost/benefit analysis) that a retailer or distributor would like to be included.

Colorado WIC REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): 2025 WIC Eligible Food Information Submission

Hello-

The Colorado WIC Program (COWIC) is scheduled to publish a new version of the Food List & Shopping Guide, effective March 1, 2026, to comply with the new federal final food rule. This list will contain the details of food items approved for purchase with WIC funds in Colorado.

The Food Categories Requested

For this review, Colorado WIC is requesting submission of item details for certain food categories (see table below). To see a current list of food items on our Approved Product List (APL), visit: https://www.coloradowic.gov/wic-foods-list.

New items for consideration during this review include, but are not limited to: 

• Plant-based milk alternative beverages
• Plant-based yogurts
• Plant-based cheeses
• Seed and nut butters
• Tofu
• All sizes of whole grains

If there have been any changes to products currently allowed by Colorado WIC, please include those for review and redetermination of eligibility. Examples include:

• UPC changes
• Product discontinuation
• Product reformulation
• Change to product name
• Change to product front label/image or the nutrition label and/or ingredients
• Change to product size
• Change to brand or logo

The Food Category Spreadsheet

For specifics, please see individual spreadsheet guidelines.

Food items allowed for purchase through WIC must, at a minimum, meet state and federal guidelines and thresholds. Please click here for information on WIC food packages, and food rules.

Labels

Labels are requested for the food items submitted. We request labels in order to confirm eligibility, compare products, and to have access to labels that will potentially be pictured in the upcoming foods list.

Labels are accepted in various formats, such as email attachments, Dropbox, etc. If you have or prefer other formats not listed, please contact Melanie Roberts.

RFI Submission Timing

Colorado WIC is requesting food product information be submitted by such organizations as stores, manufacturers, wholesalers, and/or distributors in preparation for the approved food review process. All food products being submitted for review should be received by Colorado WIC by March 31, 2025.

Please email completed submission spreadsheets and labels to Melanie Roberts at melanie.roberts@state.co.us. 

RFI Submission Process

An Excel spreadsheet is attached. The spreadsheet consists of:

a) An "Identification" sheet to enter your contact information, and

b) Food Category worksheets.

COLORADO - FOR FOOD SUPPLIER PLEASE UPDATE WIC SUBMISSIONS

 Formatting Tips

• For each item, please provide the full UPC, PLU or EAN identifier, and the UPC identifier type (e.g., UPC, PLU, EAU-13) as provided in the spreadsheets.
• The UPC column is very important. Please use only UPC-A (i.e., 12 digits including the check digit). Do not add spaces, dashes or special characters (‘).
• Please do not alter the formatting of the spreadsheets (such as moving the columns). This will assist in reviewing the high volume of individual food items.
• Use the “Comments” section for additional information to share.
• Leave the spreadsheets you do not use blank or simply delete blank worksheets when returning the workbook.

Review Criteria/What Happens Next

The food item data submitted and collected through this RFI process will be reviewed. Allowance of items is not automatic even if the product meets federal regulation. Once the new foods list update is developed, we will fill you in on the items selected and provide as much notice as possible.