Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): WIC Cereal Sugar Limit

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service

7 CFR Part 246

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and

Children (WIC): WIC Cereal Sugar Limit

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to propose rulemaking and solicitation of

comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department is considering revising the Federal regulations

that limit the amount of sugar in WIC-eligible adult cereals.

Currently, Federal regulations specify that all adult cereals (hot or

cold) eligible for use in WIC food packages for women and children must

contain no more than 21.2 grams of sucrose and other sugars per 100

grams of dry cereal (i.e., 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce of cereal).

The majority of recent studies fail to document an association between

sugar consumption and an increased risk of developing chronic diseases.

The Department is therefore reviewing whether a revision in the Federal

limit on the sugar content for WIC-eligible adult cereals is warranted.

Consequently, the Department is soliciting public comments on the pros

and cons of revising the current requirement, and is inviting

suggestions on how the sugar limit should be changed, if a change is

deemed appropriate.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, comments must be received on or

before June 17, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Stanley C. Garnett, Director,

Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA,

3101 Park Center Drive, Room 540,

Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305-2746. Comments on this Notice

should be labeled ``WIC Cereal Sugar Limit Notice.'' All written

comments will be available for public inspection during regular

business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at the

above-noted address.

,

Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA,

3101 Park Center Drive, Room 540,

Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305-2746. Comments on this Notice

should be labeled ``WIC Cereal Sugar Limit Notice.'' All written

comments will be available for public inspection during regular

business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at the

above-noted address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Hallman, Branch Chief, Policy

and Program Development Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division,

Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 542,

Alexandria, Virginia 22302, (703) 305-2730.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This Notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes

of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed by the

Office of Management and Budget.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

This action is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility

Act (5 USC 601-612) and thus is exempt from the provisions of this Act.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This Notice does not contain reporting or recordkeeping

requirements subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget

in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 USC 3507).

Executive Order 12372

This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance Programs under No. 10.557 and is subject to the provisions

of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation

with State and local officials [7 CFR Part 3015, Subpart V, and final

rule-related Notice published June 24, 1983 (48 FR 29114)].

References

on Act of 1980 (44 USC 3507).

Executive Order 12372

This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance Programs under No. 10.557 and is subject to the provisions

of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation

with State and local officials [7 CFR Part 3015, Subpart V, and final

rule-related Notice published June 24, 1983 (48 FR 29114)].

References

Browne, Mona Boyd: ``Label Facts for Healthful Eating:

Educator's Resource Guide,'' 2nd ed., The Mazer Corporation, Dayton,

Ohio, 1994, 100 pp. [Copies of this publication may be purchased

from The Mazer Corporation, 2501 Neff Road, Dayton, Ohio 45414;

telephone (513) 276-6181.]

Clydesdale, Fergus M., ed.: Workshop on the Evaluation of the

Nutritional and Health Aspects of Sugars, Proceedings of a Workshop

Held in Washington, D.C., May 2-5, 1994, ``Supplement to The

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,'' vol. 62(1S):161S-296S,

July 1995. [Copies of this publication may be purchased from ``The

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,'' 9650 Rockville Pike,

Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3998; fax (301) 571-8303.]

National Research Council, Committee on Diet and Health: ``Diet

and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk,''

National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1989, 749 pp. [Copies of

this publication may be purchased from the National Academy Press,

2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20418; telephone 1-

800-624-6242 or (202) 334-3313.]

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service,

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: ``Report of the Dietary

Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for

American, 1995: To the Secretary of Health and Human Services and

the Secretary of Agriculture,'' U.S. Government Printing Office,

Washington, D.C., September 1995, 58 pp. [Copies of this publication

may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161; telephone (703)

487-4650.]

U.S

isory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for

American, 1995: To the Secretary of Health and Human Services and

the Secretary of Agriculture,'' U.S. Government Printing Office,

Washington, D.C., September 1995, 58 pp. [Copies of this publication

may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service,

5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161; telephone (703)

487-4650.]

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service:

``WIC Food Package and Nutrition Risk Criteria Reviews: Final

Report,'' U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1991-

1992, 3 volumes, 300 pp. (approximate). [This report to Congress is

comprised of the following three separate documents: (1) ``1992

Biennial Report on the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants,

and Children and on the Commodity Supplemental Food Program'' (NAL

call number aHV696.F6U625), prepared by the National Advisory

Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition; (2) ``Technical

Papers: Review of the WIC Food Packages'' (NAL call number

aHV696.F6T42 1991), prepared by the Department of Nutrition, College

of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University,

under Cooperative Agreement Number 58-3198-1-006; and (3)

``Technical Papers: Review of WIC Nutritional Risk Criteria'' (NAL

call number aHV696.F6T425 1991), prepared by the Department of

Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of

Arizona, under Cooperative Agreement Number 58-3198-1-005. The

Department sent copies of the complete report to all WIC State

agencies in 1992. Copies of the report may be borrowed from the

National Agricultural Library (NAL) using the NAL call numbers

listed above corresponding to the three component documents. State

and local staff of certain USDA programs may borrow materials

directly from NAL. Others may borrow materials from NAL through the

interlibrary loan system, making arrangements with their local or

corporate libraries

2. Copies of the report may be borrowed from the

National Agricultural Library (NAL) using the NAL call numbers

listed above corresponding to the three component documents. State

and local staff of certain USDA programs may borrow materials

directly from NAL. Others may borrow materials from NAL through the

interlibrary loan system, making arrangements with their local or

corporate libraries. To borrow these documents, contact: NAL,

Document Delivery Services Branch, 10301 Baltimore Boulevard,

Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351; telephone (301) 504-5755; fax (301)

504-5675.]

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service:

``WIC Program Report to Congress: Nutritional Risk Criteria and Food

Package Reviews,'' Alexandria, Virginia, July 1991, 29 pp. [This

report constitutes a combination of two of the Department's reports

to Congress: a preliminary report on the WIC food package review and

an interim report on the WIC nutritional risk criteria review. The

Department sent copies of this report to all WIC State agencies in

1991. Copies of this report may be obtained by contacting: Food and

Nutrition Information Center (FNIC), NAL, 10301 Baltimore Boulevard,

Room 304, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351; telephone (301) 504-5719;

fax (301) 504-6409. Also, an electronic copy of the report is

available via the Internet at [email protected].]

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: WIC

Program: Report to Congress on Cereals Containing Fruit in the WIC

Supplemental Food Packages,'' Alexandria, Virginia, December 1991,

12 pp. [The Department sent copies of this report to all WIC State

agencies in January 1992. Copies of this report may be obtained by

contacting: FNIC, NAL, 10301 Baltimore Boulevard, Room 304,

Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351; telephone (301) 504-5719; fax (301)

504-6409. Also, an electronic copy of report is available via the

Internet at [email protected].]

U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S

. [The Department sent copies of this report to all WIC State

agencies in January 1992. Copies of this report may be obtained by

contacting: FNIC, NAL, 10301 Baltimore Boulevard, Room 304,

Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351; telephone (301) 504-5719; fax (301)

504-6409. Also, an electronic copy of report is available via the

Internet at [email protected].]

U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services: ``Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for

Americans,'' 4th ed., Home and Garden Bulletin No. 232, U.S.

Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., December 1995, 43 pp.

[For a single copy of the bulletin, send your name and address along

with

a check or money order for 50 cents payable to the Superintendent of

Documents to: Consumer Information Center, Department 378-C, Pueblo,

Colorado 81009. Also, an electronic copy of the bulletin can be

downloaded via the Internet/World Wide Web from the Home Page of the

USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion at http://

www.usda.gov/fcs/cnpp.html or from the Food and Consumer Service

Bulletin Board at FedWorld. FedWorld may be accessed via a modem or

the Internet. If using a modem, set the modem parity to none, data

bits to 8, and stop bit to 1. Set terminal emulation to ANSI. Set

duplex to full, and then set communication software to dial FedWorld

at 703-321-3339. If using the Internet, you can either telnet to

fedworld.gov or ftp to ftp.fedworld.gov. After connecting to

FedWorld, select option D, ``Health, Safety and Nutrition Mall,''

from the main menu, then choose option C, Food and Consumer

Service.]

Willis, Judith Levine: ed.: ``An FDA Consumer Special Report:

Focus on Food Labeling,'' Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Public

Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville,

Maryland, May 1993, 64 pp. [Copies of this publication may be

purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government

Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15250-

7954.]

illis, Judith Levine: ed.: ``An FDA Consumer Special Report:

Focus on Food Labeling,'' Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Public

Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville,

Maryland, May 1993, 64 pp. [Copies of this publication may be

purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government

Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15250-

7954.]

Background

Federal regulations at 7 CFR 246.10 require that a WIC-eligible

adult cereal be high in iron and low in sugar. The current WIC

regulations state that WIC-eligible adult cereals (hot or cold) must

contain a minimum of 28 milligrams of iron per 100 grams of dry cereal

and contain no more than 21.2 grams of sucrose and other sugars per 100

grams of dry cereal (i.e., 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce of cereal).

This Notice focuses only on the Department's consideration of changing

the sugar limit, not the iron requirement, for such cereals.

There are currently five WIC food packages designed for different

participant categories that include the 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-

eligible adult cereals. These WIC food packages are: Food Package III

for children/women with special dietary needs; Food Package IV for

children 1 up to 5 years of age; Food Package V for pregnant and

breastfeeding women (basic); Food Package VI for nonbreastfeeding

postpartum women; and Food Package VII for breastfeeding women

(enhanced).

The basis for Federal regulation of the sugar content of WIC-

eligible adult cereals is three-fold. First, Section 3 of Public Law

(P.L.) 95-627, enacted November 10, 1978, amended Section 17(f)(12) of

the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 [42 USC 1786(f)(12)] to say, ``[t]o the

degree possible, the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall assure that the

fat, sugar, and salt content of the prescribed [WIC] foods is

appropriate

regulation of the sugar content of WIC-

eligible adult cereals is three-fold. First, Section 3 of Public Law

(P.L.) 95-627, enacted November 10, 1978, amended Section 17(f)(12) of

the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 [42 USC 1786(f)(12)] to say, ``[t]o the

degree possible, the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall assure that the

fat, sugar, and salt content of the prescribed [WIC] foods is

appropriate. * * *'' Second, the Department has been responsive to the

advice it has received from nutrition and health experts, the WIC

community and the general public over the years concerning the initial

establishment and continued retention of a sugar limit for WIC-eligible

adult cereals. Third, the Department recognized that dental caries is a

major public health problem in the United States (U.S.) and that sugars

in foods play a role in the development of dental caries.

The Federal requirements for WIC-eligible cereals have been issues

of discussion since the early development of WIC food package

regulations. The initial legislation for the WIC Program enacted

September 26, 1972 (P.L. 92-433) did not impose a Federal sugar limit

for WIC-eligible adult cereals. However, in response to an interim rule

published January 12, 1976 (41 FR 1743) to implement provisions of P.L.

94-105, a significant number of commenters objected to the level of

sugar in cereals allowable by WIC Program regulations. This sentiment

was cited in the preamble of the proposed rule published February 11,

1977 (42 FR 8647) in response to the comments engendered by the January

12, 1976 interim rule. Although in that rulemaking the Department

proposed no restrictions on the sugar content of WIC-eligible adult

cereals, State agencies were reminded that they were not required to

offer cereals high in sugar, but could restrict eligible cereals to

those low in sugar (42 FR at 8649)

hed February 11,

1977 (42 FR 8647) in response to the comments engendered by the January

12, 1976 interim rule. Although in that rulemaking the Department

proposed no restrictions on the sugar content of WIC-eligible adult

cereals, State agencies were reminded that they were not required to

offer cereals high in sugar, but could restrict eligible cereals to

those low in sugar (42 FR at 8649).

In June 1977, the Department held public hearings in seven cities

to solicit oral and written testimony and suggestions for possible

changes in the WIC Program. A number of commenters at the hearings

favored USDA setting a maximum level for the amount of sugar allowed in

WIC-eligible cereals for children and women. The preamble of the final

regulations published August 26, 1977 (42 FR 43206) to revise and

reorganize the Program referenced this public response and solicited

further public comments on the issue of the Federal requirements for

WIC-eligible adult cereals.

In October 1978, USDA convened a food package advisory panel

composed of representatives of WIC State agencies, the food industry,

the nutrition community, advocacy groups, and WIC participants. This

panel reviewed in depth the public comments on cereal issues which the

Department received in response to the August 26, 1977 final rule. The

Department received 230 comments on the exclusion of high-sugar cereals

for the WIC food packages. Over 90 percent of the comments (i.e., 208)

were in support of the Department establishing a maximum level of sugar

for cereals authorized in the WIC Program. As part of its

deliberations, the panel recommended a 6-gram sugar limit for use with

WIC-eligible adult cereals. The 6-gram sugar limit represented a

moderate sugar content for cereals on the market at that time. In

response, USDA published a proposed rule on November 30, 1979 (44 FR

69254) proposing a 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-eligible adult cereals

r cereals authorized in the WIC Program. As part of its

deliberations, the panel recommended a 6-gram sugar limit for use with

WIC-eligible adult cereals. The 6-gram sugar limit represented a

moderate sugar content for cereals on the market at that time. In

response, USDA published a proposed rule on November 30, 1979 (44 FR

69254) proposing a 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-eligible adult cereals.

Of the 643 persons who commented on the proposed 6-gram sugar

limit, 542, primarily representing the nutrition and health care

communities, supported the 6-gram sugar limit or recommended a more

stringent one. Some of the reasons cited for supporting this

requirement were: the association between sugar consumption and dental

caries; recommendations in the 1979 ``Healthy People: The Surgeon

General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,'' and in

the National Research Council's ``Recommended Dietary Allowances,''

ninth edition, 1980, stating that sugar consumption by the U.S.

population should be reduced; and knowledge that highly sugared cereals

tended to be more expensive than cereals containing less sugar.

The balance of 101 commenters, including 14 State and 53 local WIC

agencies, the Sugar Association and several cereal companies were

opposed to the 6-gram limit, or in some cases any sugar limit

whatsoever. Examples of the reasons given for opposing views were: the

opinion that the 6-gram sugar limit was chosen in an arbitrary and

ended to be more expensive than cereals containing less sugar.

The balance of 101 commenters, including 14 State and 53 local WIC

agencies, the Sugar Association and several cereal companies were

opposed to the 6-gram limit, or in some cases any sugar limit

whatsoever. Examples of the reasons given for opposing views were: the

opinion that the 6-gram sugar limit was chosen in an arbitrary and

capricious manner; an absence of a specific sugar limit in the USDA

regulation applicable to ``foods of minimum nutritional value'' sold in

competition with school lunches and breakfasts (7 CFR 210.11 and

220.12); and the lack of a clear cut-off point to differentiate low-

sugar cereals from high-sugar cereals.

After taking into consideration the advice from outside experts,

advisory groups and the majority of commenters as well as factors

relevant to the WIC Program (e.g., participant acceptance, versatility,

cost, and nutrition education efforts to improve eating habits), the

Department published a final rule on November 12, 1980 (45 FR 74854).

This rule established the 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-eligible adult

cereals.

More recently in 1989, Section 123(c) of P.L. 101-147 mandated that

the Secretary conduct a review of WIC food packages to determine the

appropriateness of WIC-eligible foods. Among other things, the review

was to include consideration of: (1) how effectively protein, calcium

and iron are provided to participants; (2) the nutrient density of

foods; and (3) the extent to which nutrients, for which program

participants are most vulnerable to deficiencies, such as thiamine,

riboflavin, vitamin A and zinc, are effectively provided to

participants. Again, USDA formally solicited public comments on whether

there was evidence to support or refute the regulatory limit on the

amount of sugar contained in WIC food packages [55 FR 42856, October

24, 1990; 55 FR 52050, December 19, 1990]

r which program

participants are most vulnerable to deficiencies, such as thiamine,

riboflavin, vitamin A and zinc, are effectively provided to

participants. Again, USDA formally solicited public comments on whether

there was evidence to support or refute the regulatory limit on the

amount of sugar contained in WIC food packages [55 FR 42856, October

24, 1990; 55 FR 52050, December 19, 1990].

Of the 97 comment letters the Department received specifically

addressing the issue of whether the existing regulatory limits/

requirements on components of the WIC foods should be retained, 66

comments supported retaining the 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-eligible

adult cereals. Twenty commenters suggested that this sugar limit be

retained only for WIC participants with weight problems, three industry

commenters opposed retaining this sugar limit and suggested either

removing or increasing it, and eight other commenters neither supported

nor opposed the sugar limit.

On October 3, 1991, the Conference Report (H. Rep. No. 239, p.47)

accompanying P.L. 102-142, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and

Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1992,

expressed the desire of the conferees that the Department ``make a

report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the issue of

cereals containing fruit in the WIC food package by December 31,

1991.'' In response, on December 31, 1991, the Department submitted to

pertinent Congressional committees a report that documented USDA's

broad base of support for retaining the 6-gram sugar limit

fant and Fetal

Nutrition also endorsed the 6-gram sugar limit in its 1992 Biennial

Report to the President and Congress. The Council was established in

1975 by Section 17 (h)(1) [currently 17(k)(1)] of the Child Nutrition

Act, and is composed of health/medical experts and representatives of

WIC agencies, parent participants, and food retailers, to advise USDA

on how to improve WIC operations.

Also relevant to this issue is the publication ``Nutrition and Your

Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans,'' jointly developed by USDA

and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The

``Dietary Guidelines'' provide nutritional and dietary advice for the

general public (i.e., healthy Americans 2 or more years of age), based

upon the preponderance of current scientific and medical knowledge. The

first ``Dietary Guidelines'' were published in 1980 and have been

updated every five years to incorporate the latest research findings.

The updates are based on the recommendations of the 11-member Dietary

Guidelines Advisory Committee. This Committee is composed of widely

recognized non-Federal nutrition and medical experts. Similar to past

editions, the 1995 or fourth edition of the ``Dietary Guidelines,''

released by USDA and DHHS on January 2, 1996, urges Americans to choose

a diet moderate in sugars. An excerpt from pages 33 and 34 of this

latest edition follows:

For very active people with high calorie needs, sugars can be an

additional source of energy. However, because maintaining a

nutritious diet and a healthy weight is very important, sugars

should be used in moderation by most healthy people and sparingly by

people with low calorie needs. This guideline cautions about eating

sugars in large amounts and about frequent snacks of foods and

beverages containing sugars that supply unnecessary calories and few

nutrients.

al source of energy. However, because maintaining a

nutritious diet and a healthy weight is very important, sugars

should be used in moderation by most healthy people and sparingly by

people with low calorie needs. This guideline cautions about eating

sugars in large amounts and about frequent snacks of foods and

beverages containing sugars that supply unnecessary calories and few

nutrients.

Over the past several years, the Department has received inquiries

from members of Congress and representatives of the food industry about

the scientific basis for continuing the present sugar limit for WIC-

eligible adult cereals. Although clinical evidence continues to support

the correlation between sugar and dental caries, it has further

revealed that the consumption of any fermentable carbohydrate,

representing starches as well as sugars, can contribute to the

incidence of dental caries. In contrast, recent research has shown that

the independent factor of sugar intake does not appear to increase

one's risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus,

obesity, and hyperactivity.

While this evidence may suggest that no specific nutritional risk

warrants a limit on sugar content, the Department recognizes that there

may be other reasons that make such a limit appropriate. Factors that

should be considered are any impact on the cost of the food package,

the need to promote good dietary habits among nutritionally at-risk

participants, and the potential that a change in the limit may permit

``foods * * * containing sugars that supply unnecessary calories and

few nutrients'' to be included in the WIC food packages. The Department

also remains cognizant of the important role the WIC competent

professional authority plays in tailoring both the WIC food packages

and nutrition counseling to meet individual needs of Program

participants

potential that a change in the limit may permit

``foods * * * containing sugars that supply unnecessary calories and

few nutrients'' to be included in the WIC food packages. The Department

also remains cognizant of the important role the WIC competent

professional authority plays in tailoring both the WIC food packages

and nutrition counseling to meet individual needs of Program

participants.

Therefore, the Department is seeking public input on whether a

change in the 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-eligible adult cereals is in

the best nutritional interests of WIC participants. The Department is

hoping to elicit a wide range of views from nutrition and health

experts, the WIC community, and other members of

the public at large to assist USDA in making a decision about this

issue.

Issues for Comment

The Department is interested in receiving public comments on

whether the current 6-gram sugar limit for WIC-eligible adult cereals

should be changed. The Department has identified several positions

related to this decision that commenters may wish to address. USDA

would like to know which, if any, of the following options would be

most appropriate for WIC food packages that make adult cereal

available:

Retain the current 6-gram sugar limit unchanged, counting

all sugar, both naturally occurring and added, as part of the total

sugar content of the cereal.

Set a new sugar limit, either higher or lower than the

current 6-gram level. If this option is selected, commenters should

specify a new sugar limit, e.g., grams of sugar per dry ounce of

cereal, and their justification for suggesting a new limit

the current 6-gram sugar limit unchanged, counting

all sugar, both naturally occurring and added, as part of the total

sugar content of the cereal.

Set a new sugar limit, either higher or lower than the

current 6-gram level. If this option is selected, commenters should

specify a new sugar limit, e.g., grams of sugar per dry ounce of

cereal, and their justification for suggesting a new limit.

Revise the 6-gram sugar limit to represent only the amount

of sugar added during the manufacturing of a cereal, representing

either a separate ingredient (e.g., table sugar, corn syrup, brown

sugar, honey, and maltodextrin) or a separate component of a processed

or man-made ingredient (e.g., marshmallow and caramel), and exclude the

naturally occurring, inherent sugar in the cereal (e.g., sugars in

grains, dried fruits, and nonfat dry milk).

Eliminate the Federal sugar limit for WIC-eligible adult

cereals. However, WIC State agencies would have the authority to

establish and enforce a sugar limit of their own for WIC-eligible adult

cereals approved for use in their respective States.

Commenters are also invited to recommend alternative options not

stated above. In order for comment letters to be most useful to the

Department, commenters are urged to discuss both the pros and cons of

their recommendations as they apply to WIC participants and program

operations, including any problems WIC State agencies may encounter in

implementing a proposed alternative option. USDA is very interested to

know how any change might impact the provision and effect of WIC food

benefits and nutrition education. The Department also would like to

know whether WIC State and local agencies believe that the current 6-

gram limit provides an adequate range of choices for both WIC agencies

and participants, consistent with the nutritional purposes of the WIC

Program.

Dated: March 8, 1996.

William E. Ludwig,

Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.

[FR Doc. 96-6178 Filed 3-15-96; 8:45 am]

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