Month: February 2023

Recall: Jan Fruits Inc. Enoki Mushrooms

Posted on | by Geneva | Leave a Comment on Recall: Jan Fruits Inc. Enoki Mushrooms

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Jan Fruits Inc. of Vernon, Ca. is recalling all its cases of 200g/7.05oz packages of Enoki Mushrooms (Product of Taiwan) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections for young children or others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeria infection include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The product was distributed throughout retail stores in California and Hawaii. WIC families who purchased Enoki Mushrooms should check for the following description and return the package to the place of purchase.

  • Description: Taiwan Best Quality Enoki Natural Mushroom
  • Size: 200g/7.05oz clear plastic package
  • Manufacturer: Changhua County Mushrooms Production Cooperative
  • “Premium” (printed in green letters) with two QR scan codes
  • UPC: 8 51084 00835 8
  • Lot Code: 3779

Consumers with questions could visit the FDA website or contact Jans Fruit Inc. at 323-923-2879 Ext. 3, between Monday – Friday from 7:00am – 3:00pm.

WIC Foods Are Getting Better

Posted on | by Michelle | Leave a Comment on WIC Foods Are Getting Better

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to change the WIC food package for the first time in over ten years. Some changes proposed include the following:

  • keep the increased fruit and vegetable benefit,
  • offer more options for whole grains,
  • add seafood to children, pregnant and postpartum packages,
  • and offer more substitutions for all food packages.

The new changes would also allow families to shop for different sizes for all food categories (except infant formula).

How could the food package change?

  • The increased fruits and vegetables benefit that families are receiving would be permanent.
  • Families could purchase fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley with their fruit and vegetable benefit.
  • Participants could choose less juice and more fruits and vegetable benefits.
  • WIC stores would be required to have at least three different forms of vegetables.
  • Seafood would be added to children over two, pregnant, and postpartum food packages.
  • Canned legumes would be an added option.
  • Eggs could be exchanged for legumes, peanut butter, or tofu.
  • Cultural options, including quinoa, wild rice, teff, buckwheat, corn meal, triticale, millet, amaranth, kamut, sorghum, wheat berries, tortillas with folic acid-fortified corn masa flour, whole wheat pita, English muffins, bagels, and naan would be added.
  • The amount whole grains pregnant and postpartum parents receive would increase.
  • Stronger cereal standards that add more whole grains and limit added sugars.
  • Families have more flexibility when shopping for yogurt, tofu, cheese, or milk benefits.
  • Soy based yogurts and cheeses would be allowed.
  • Parents could exchange half or all of their jarred infant fruits and vegetables for more fresh fruits and vegetables benefit.
  • Infant cereal and jarred infant food amounts would be reduced to meet the current dietary guidelines.
  • Formula could be issued in customized amounts to help support breastfeeding parents meet their goals.

When would changes to the WIC food package happen?

WIC food package changes would not happen immediately. The commenting period for USDA’s proposed WIC food package changes closed on February 21, 2023. The USDA will review all comments before making a final ruling. We could see changes to the WIC food package as soon as 2024.

Thank you to our WIC participants, staff, and community partners who submitted a comment in support of the WIC food package changes.

Recall: ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Formula

Posted on | by Jenna | Leave a Comment on Recall: ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Formula

Reckitt, a producer of nutrition products, has voluntarily recalled two small batches of Enfamil ProSobee Infant Formula due to possible contamination of bacteria. The two batches of ProSobee 12.9 oz. Simply Plant-Based infant formula were manufactured between August 2022 and September 2022 and were distributed through retail stores nationwide.

WIC families, who have purchased Enfamil ProSobee powder 12.9 oz containers should check the bottom of the can to identify whether the batch number is affected. The following are the batch codes:

  1. Global Batch Code: ZL2HZF
    UPC: 300871214415
    Lot Number: 0670975
    Expiration: 3/1/2024
  2. Global Batch Code: ZL2HZZ
    UPC: 300871214415
    Lot Number: 0670979
    Expiration: 3/1/2024

Product Images

Families are asked to dispose formula or return it to the place of purchase for a refund or exchange. WIC families can also contact Reckitt/MJN at 1-800-479-0551 or by email at consumer.relations@rb.com

Please note that no illnesses have been reported, and no other ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula batches or other Reckitt/MJN products are affected.

For further questions or concerns, please text us at 91997 to speak with a WIC counselor.

Four Farmers Markets in LA Accept the WIC Card

Posted on | by Michelle | Leave a Comment on Four Farmers Markets in LA Accept the WIC Card

Families can now use their WIC Card at three local farmers markets in LA County! Shop for fresh produce at Culver City Farmers Market, La Cienega Farmers Market, and Echo Park Farmers Market.

Culver City and La Cienega Farmers Market

How to use your WIC Card:

  1. Go to the info booth to swipe your WIC card for the amount you want to spend
  2. Get paper scrips for the amount you asked to use
  3. Shop for fruits and vegetables from the vendors – all scrips must be used same day!
Culver City Farmers Market

Tuesdays,
2 – 7 PM

3800 Main St, Culver City, 90232

La Cienega Farmers Market

Thursdays,
2 – 7 PM

1835 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 90035

$10 Bonus

Spend at least $10 of your fruit and vegetable benefit to receive an additional $10 while supplies last.

Echo Park and Central Avenue Farmers Market

How to use your WIC Card:

  1. Visit the info booth to find out which vendors accept WIC cards
  2. Spend your benefits with those vendors
Echo Park Farmers Market

Fridays,
3 – 7:30 PM

1146 Logan St, Los Angeles, 90026

Central Avenue Farmers Market

Thursdays,
9 AM – 2 PM

4301 S Central Ave, Los Angeles 90011

$10 Bonus

Bring your receipt back to the info booth to get an extra $10 to purchase fresh fruits and veggies while supplies last.

The WIC card and scrips can be used to shop for fruits and vegetables. They cannot be used to buy other WIC foods such as eggs or bread. Go to the info booth to swipe your WIC card and receive paper scrips you can use to shop at the farmers market. 

No! For Culver City Farmers Market and La Cienega Farmers Market, all scrips must be spent the same day they are given. Once you swipe your card for the amount you would like to use, it cannot be added back to your WIC card. 

The WIC Card is currently accepted at Culver City, La Cienega, Echo Park, and Crenshaw Farmers Markets only. You will not be able to shop at a different market in Los Angeles County using your WIC Card. 

It’s an Egg-cellent Time to Shop With WIC

Posted on | by Michelle | Leave a Comment on It’s an Egg-cellent Time to Shop With WIC

Egg prices are rising, but using your WIC benefits can make grocery shopping easier! There is an egg shortage due to the avian flu and higher costs to produce them. Even though prices are increasing, your WIC benefits stay the same each month. Every WIC participant over the age of one receives one dozen eggs, and fully breastfeeding parents receive two dozen eggs every month.

Check your WIC food balance regularly, and remember to shop for your foods before the benefits end date!

Where can I shop for eggs with my WIC benefits?

Stores that accept WIC will have a WIC logo on the front window. Use the WIC Grocers section in the California WIC App to see which stores near you accept WIC. If eggs are hard to find at large grocery stores, try shopping at smaller WIC-only stores.

Find Stores That Accept WIC

What type of eggs can I buy with my WIC benefits?

Can Buy

  • Any brand of chicken eggs
  • Dozen-size carton
  • Large, white, cage-free

Cannot Buy

  • Any other size, type, or color of eggs
  • Powdered or liquid eggs
  • Specialty eggs such as organic, vitamin-enriched, pastured, low cholesterol, or DHA-enriched
See the WIC Approved Foods List

Not enrolled for WIC? Apply now!
Need to renew your WIC account? Text APPT with your preferred date and time to 91997 to schedule an appointment.