This communication clarifies recent updates to the California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR) which have changed the requirements for school food authorities (SFA) offering fluid milk substitutes for non-disability reasons.
Effective April 1, 2025, 5 CCR, Section 15560, requires SFAs to use the California Department of Education (CDE) Parental Request for a Fluid Milk Substitution for School-Age Children form, or School Nutrition Program (SNP) 26, to document a non-disability fluid milk substitute request from a student’s parent or legal guardian. The SNP 26 form can be found in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) under the Download Forms section.
As a reminder, SFAs have the discretion to offer fluid milk substitutions for non-disability reasons, whereas fluid milk substitutions necessary due to a student’s disability are required to be accommodated. SFAs choosing to offer fluid milk substitutes for non-disability reasons must notify the CDE by submitting the Decision to Offer Fluid Milk Substitutes Notification form, or SNP 05, which can be found in CNIPS under the Download Forms section. The SNP 05 form is only required to be submitted once and will remain in effect until the SFA changes its fluid milk substitution policy.
The CDE has updated its fluid milk substitution guidance to reflect the requirements of 5 CCR, Section 15560. To view the updated fluid milk substitution guidance or for further information regarding fluid milk substitutions please see the CDE’s Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions Management Bulletin.
For details on the fluid milk requirements in the school nutrition programs, visit the CDE’s Milk Requirements in the Child Nutrition Programs web page.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding the subject, please contact the School Nutrition Program team at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.