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Last updated:
04/30/2009
WIC Databases

The Whole Grain Calculator is a web-based tool developed to help State agencies identify products that meet WIC minimum specification requirements for whole grain cereal, whole wheat or whole grain bread. The calculator should be used to determine one product whole grain eligibility status at a time. You will need information from the product’s Nutrition Facts Label, Ingredient Panel, and package labeling to answer the calculator questions.

To use the calculator, answer all questions as instructed and submit answers by selecting the “calculate” button at the bottom of the page. The calculator will provide you with instantaneous results. If a product does not meet eligibility requirements for a whole grain product, a brief explanation for the denial will be provided.

If you are having difficulties with the calculator please visit the Whole Grain Calculator Frequently Asked Questions page and/or contact us at wicworks@ars.usda.gov if you need further assistance.

WIC Whole Grain Calculator
Please enter the name of the product:

Please select whether product is a bread or a cereal.



If bread, is one of the the required names listed below on the label?
"whole wheat bread", "graham bread", "entire wheat bread", "whole wheat rolls", "graham rolls", "entire wheat rolls", "whole wheat buns", "graham buns", or "entire wheat buns" (FDA Standard of Identity, 21 CFR 136.180).

No

IF Yes, is whole wheat flour the primary ingredient listed on the ingredient label?
Yes
No

If cereal, does it meet the following WIC iron and sugar minimum requirements according to information provided by the product manufacturer?

  • Must contain a minimum of 28 mg iron per 100 g dry cereal
  • Must contain ≤ 21.2 g sucrose and other sugars per 100 g dry cereal (= 6 g per dry oz)



1. Review ingredient label. Determine if first ingredient (primary ingredient by weight) is one of the whole grains listed in the drop down box below.

Does the primary ingredient on the label appear in the drop-down list?

- (Primary ingredient appears in drop-down list)
- (Primary ingredient is not a Whole grain ingredient)

2. Does the product label bear the following health claim?

"Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart disease."



3. Please select the category that best describes your product:
Determine IF the product meets the labeling requirement for making the health claim by checking the Nutrition Facts Label for Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat, Cholesterol, and Dietary Fiber. Be sure to use correct units (grams or milligrams).
4. Enter the serving size (in grams) of the product as listed on the Nutrition Facts Label g
5. Enter the amount of total fat in 1 serving of the product as listed on the Nutrition Facts Label (in grams) g
6. Enter the amount of saturated fat in 1 serving of the product as listed on the Nutrition Facts Label (in grams) g
7. Enter the amount of trans fat in 1 serving of the product as listed on the Nutrition Facts Label (in grams) g
8. Enter the amount of cholesterol in 1 serving of the product as listed on the Nutrition Facts Label (in mg) mg
9. Enter the amount of dietary fiber in 1 serving of the product as listed on the Nutrition Facts Label (in grams) g