Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin |
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| Purpose: Policy, Action Required, Beneficial Information | |
| To: Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors |
Number: NSD-CACFP-05-2011 |
| Attention: Food Program Directors |
Date: August 2011 |
| Subject: Fluid Milk and Fluid Milk Substitutions in the Child and Adult Care Food Program |
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Reference: The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, Section 221, 17(g); USDA Policy Memo 21-2011 |
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This Management Bulletin (MB) notifies Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsors of the following Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provisions:
- Fluid milk served in the CACFP must be consistent with the most recent version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).
- Non-dairy beverages that are nutritionally equivalent to fluid milk may be allowed as milk substitutes in cases of special dietary needs.
These provisions are effective immediately; however, in order to allow for CACFP agencies to prepare for these changes, full implementation is not mandatory until October 1, 2011.
The policy memo detailing this information is available at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web page http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/Regs-Policy/policymemo/2011/CACFP-21-2011.pdf.
Fat-free and Low-fat Milk in Child and Adult Day Care Facilities
The 2010 DGA recommends that persons over two years of age consume fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent) fluid milk. Therefore, effective immediately, fluid milk served in the CACFP to participants two years of age and older must be:
- Fat-free or low-fat milk
- Fat-free or low-fat lactose reduced milk
- Fat-free or low-fat lactose free milk
- Fat-free or low-fat buttermilk
- Fat-free or low-fat acidified milk
Whole milk and reduced-fat (2 percent) milk may not be served to participants over two years of age, unless a medical statement signed by a recognized medical authority allows it.
As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and supported by the California Department of Education, sponsors should serve whole milk to children from one year of age until their second birthday. There is no change in this best practice.
Non-Dairy Beverages as Milk Substitutes in Child Care Facilities
In the case of children who cannot consume fluid milk due to medical or other special dietary needs, other than a disability, the sponsor may serve non-dairy beverages in lieu of fluid milk. Non-dairy beverages must be nutritionally equivalent to milk and meet the nutritional standards for fortification of calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, and other nutrients to levels found in cow's milk, as outlined in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) regulations at Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, 210.10 (m)(3).
Parents or guardians may now request non-dairy milk substitutions in writing, as described above, without providing a medical statement. As an example, if a parent has a child who follows a vegan diet, the parent can submit a written request to the child's care provider asking that soy beverage be served in lieu of cow's milk. The written request must identify the medical or other special dietary need that restricts the diet of the child. Such substitutions are at the option and the expense of the facility.
The requirements related to milk or food substitutions for a participant who has a medical disability and who submits a medical statement signed by a recognized medical authority remain unchanged.
Submitting Questions
Please submit questions regarding any of the above information to ReauthorizationENPU@cde.ca.gov with the subject line "Healthy Beverages in the CACFP." The NSD will issue a future MB that includes clarifying questions and answers.
