Cramer: Institute of Medicine Reverses Position on Fresh Potatoes in WIC

Press Release

Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (IOM) has reversed its position and now supports the inclusion of fresh white potatoes in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program.

In a report released today, the organization says it "recommends that [the] U.S. Department of Agriculture allow white potatoes as a WIC-eligible vegetable, in forms currently permitted for other vegetables, in the cash value voucher pending changes to starchy vegetable intake recommendations in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA)." The IOM previously recommended excluding potatoes from WIC.

Cramer has strongly advocated for the inclusion of fresh white potatoes in the WIC program. In addition to communicating his concerns to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, he supported a successful provision in the 2015 omnibus spending bill which ensures white potatoes are eligible for WIC, and institutes science-based requirements to determine which vegetables will be allowed for purchase in the program.

"In the omnibus spending bill, we were able to get the inclusion of fresh white potatoes in the WIC program codified into law. This position reversal from the National Academy of Sciences is a further victory for sound, science-based decision making," said Cramer.

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