WASHINGTON -- A final rule that revises the food package for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients includes fresh fruits and vegetables, but the ban on fresh white potatoes continues.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to publish the final WIC rule March 3 after receiving more than 7,000 letters on its 2007 interim measure, many of whom voiced support for adding whole grains and fruits and vegetables to the revised WIC package.

Under the final rule, WIC women can receive cash vouchers of $10 per month and their children $8 per month for fruit and vegetable purchases.

But USDA is not allowing white potatoes, mixed vegetables containing white potatoes, noodles, and nuts or sauce packets. Canned, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables can be purchased with the vouchers. Fruit or vegetable must be listed as the first ingredient in WIC-eligible processed fruits and vegetables, and frozen fruits may not contain added fats, oils, salt or added sugars.

"The restriction of white potatoes, as recommended by the [Institute of Medicine], is based on data indicating that consumption of starchy vegetables meets or exceeds recommended amounts, and food intake data showing that white potatoes are the most widely used vegetable," the interim rule said. "The department recognizes that white potatoes can be a healthful part of one's diet. However, WIC food packages are carefully designed to address the supplemental nutritional needs of a specific population."

The National Potato Council, which has been working with Congress to lift the ban, issued a statement in response to USDA's decision.

"We are disappointed that USDA has chosen to ignore the latest nutritional science and consumption data in its final WIC rule," the NPC said in a press statement. "When USDA revised the WIC program to include all fresh fruits and vegetables - except fresh white potatoes - it relied on an IOM report that looked at consumption data from the mid-1990s. However, much has changed over the past two decades, and the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consumption data from its National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey demonstrate that today's women and children are falling well short of their consumption targets for starchy vegetables."

The final WIC changes are just one of several food policy reforms rolled out by the White House the last week of February as part of the four-year anniversary of the Let's Move! initiative.

First Lady Michelle Obama also announced new food marketing guidelines for schools and new Nutrition Facts panel changes to food labels.