The following information appeared in the August 28, 2000 "Monday Morning Report" from the National Association of WIC Directors (NAWD).

"Representatives of the NAWD National Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics met jointly with representatives of the Food and Drug Administration's Special Nutritionals Office last week to discuss the FDA's role in developing education, guidance, or regulations for Human Milk Banks used by WIC programs. Readers may recall that in April, USDA/FNS surprisingly halted referrals of WIC clients to Human Milk Banks out of concern for potential lawsuits. While Milk Banks were self-regulated, following comprehensive guidelines developed by a medical team including representatives of the FDA and CDC, USDA/FNS wanted to ensure more adequate government oversite. FDA officials advised NAWD and the AAP that the review process would be slow at best with little expectation that education, guidance, or regulations could see the light of day for at least two years. Both NAWD and AAP expressed concern with this timetable, urging FDA staff to recognize the importance of this issue for WIC and to move forward expeditiously with their efforts."