Formula

The South Dakota WIC Program supports breastfeeding as the ideal method of infant feeding for the first twelve months of life or as long as mutually agreeable between mother and child.  If a mother is unable or chooses not to breastfeed, WIC will provide infant formula.

We recognize that caregivers look to their family physician in their decisions regarding feeding their infants. For WIC mothers who are unable to breastfeed or choose not to, we ask that you recommend the standard contract WIC formula unless a medical condition contraindicates its use. 

Effective January 29, 2021, the South Dakota WIC infant formula rebate contract for standard milk-based and soy-based formulas changed from Mead Johnson Nutrition Enfamil products to Abbott Similac products.

The standard formulas for South Dakota are:

  • Similac Advance
  • Similac Total Comfort
  • Similac Sensitive
  • Similac Isomil (soy-based)

WIC can only provide formula other than contract formulas when a physician determines the child has a medical condition that contraindicates use of the contract formula and writes a prescription for another formula. Please use the South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) Medical Documentation Form to request a special formula.

All such requests must be reviewed and approved by a WIC Registered Dietitian. If WIC receives a written request for a standard non-contract infant formula, such as Enfamil Infant or Similac Pro Advance, or if the written request lists no specific medical reason, a Registered Dietitian or Nurse will contact the physician’s office for clarification.

WIC cannot provide a formula other than the contract formula to a WIC infant due to physician or caregiver preference.

2022-2023 Abbott Formula Recall

In February 2022 Abbott voluntarily issued a recall of certain powdered formulas including Similac Advance®, Similac Total Comfort®, Similac for Spit-Up®, Similac Sensitive®, Similac Alimentum®, Similac EleCare®, and Similac PM 60/40® that were manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan. Find more information about the Abbott recall here.

South Dakota WIC participants affected by the Abbott formula recall can temporarily purchase additional powdered formula brands and sizes.

Current options:

  • Formula alternatives for Similac Alimentum, Similac Neosure, and Elecare, require a WIC Medical Documentation Form from the infant’s physician. Please consider approving and listing the following formulas on the WIC Medical Documentation Form:
    • For Similac Alimentum:
      • Similac Alimentum
      • Enfamil Nutramigen
      • Enfamil Pregestimil
      • Nutricia Pepticate
      • Gerber GoodStart Extensive HA
      • Signature Care Hypoallergenic
      • Parent’s Choice Hypoallergenic
      • Tippy Toes Hypoallergenic
      • Up & Up Hypoallergenic
    • For Similac Neosure:
      • Neosure
      • Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare
    • For Elecare
      • Abbott Elecare
      • Mead Johnson PurAmino
      • Nestle Alfamino
      • Nutricia Neocate
      • Nutricia Neocate Syneo
  • By listing all formula options on the WIC Medical Documentation Form, it allows the WIC participant more flexibility to get a comparable formula if there is limited availability at the nearest WIC vendor.

Effective July 1st:

  • Recently added formulas used for medical conditions in larger can sizes (i.e. large cans of hypoallergenic store brands, larger cans of Nutramigen, Alimentum, Neosure etc.) will no longer be allowed.
  • Here are the upcoming Formulas available from the SD WIC Program – Effective July 1st. Non-contract and exempt formulas listed require a Medical Documentation form.

Downloads

List of all formulas available to participants effective July 1, 2023. VIEW

  • Formulas not listed can be requested on the Medical Documentation Form. Requests will be reviewed on an individual basis for approval.

SD DOH Medical Documentation Form effective December 2022. VIEW