Milk Requirements in the Child Nutrition Programs
This web page provides the milk requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), including the meal pattern requirements, types of milks to offer, milk substitute forms, nutrient standards for milk, policy guidance, FAQs, and contacts.Overview
Fluid milk is required in all of the CNPs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), NSLP Afterschool Snack Program, School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and Special Milk Program. The definition of fluid milk is outlined in the Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR), Section 131.110
. The fluid milk recommendation is based on the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The milk requirements can vary slightly by program. In any of the CNPs, if a student needs a fluid milk substitute due to a disability, it must be accommodated once the student provides the appropriate form or a written medical statement that addresses the need for a milk substitute and is completed and signed by a state licensed healthcare professional. If a student has a nondisability reason for a fluid milk substitute, such as personal preference or religious need, program operators have the discretion to offer a fluid milk substitute once the student provides the appropriate form completed and signed by a parent or guardian. For a nondisability, the milk substitute that is offered must meet the nutritional specifications identified on the Nutrient Standards tab. For more information and to access the above referenced forms regarding a milk substitution for a disability or nondisability, visit the Substitutions tab.
Please note: There are separate requirements for selling milk or selling milk substitutes as a competitive beverage. For competitive beverage requirements, visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Competitive Foods and Beverages web page.
Meal Pattern Requirements
For each CNP, the fluid milk requirements can vary. Review the descriptions and use the links below for more information about each program’s requirement.
| Meal Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
| NSLP Meal Pattern web page | In the NSLP, fluid milk is one of the five required components that program operators must offer students at lunch. |
| SBP Meal Pattern web page | In the SBP, fluid milk must be one of the three components offered to students at breakfast. |
| NSLP Afterschool Snack Program Meal Patterns web page | In the Afterschool Snack Program, fluid milk is one of four food components that can be served. Program operators only need to select two of the four components for a reimbursable snack. Please note that fluid milk cannot be served when juice is the only other food component available. |
| SFSP Meal Pattern
|
In the SFSP, school food authorities that are program operators of the NSLP/SBP may substitute the SFSP Meal Pattern with the NSLP/SBP meal pattern (above). However, if the program operator only operates the SFSP, then the SFSP meal pattern must be implemented, and only one type of milk needs to be offered. |
| SSO web page | In the SSO, program operators use the NSLP and SBP meal patterns (above). |
| Special Milk Program web page | In the Special Milk Program, only one type of fluid milk needs to be offered. |
Requirements for Types of Milks Offered
Program operators must offer students pasteurized, fluid types of milk that meet state and local standards and contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the Food and Drug Administration.
- All milk must be fat-free or low-fat (1 percent). Milk with higher fat content is not allowed.
- Fat-free fluid milk (can be flavored or unflavored) and/or
- Low-fat (1 percent) fluid milk must be unflavored.
- Visit the Nutrient Standards tab for the vitamin A and D level requirements.
Program operators have the option, but are not required to, offer students the following fluid milk options as long as they adhere to the requirements above:
- Low-fat (1 percent) or fat-free, lactose-free, and reduced-lactose fluid milk
- Organic milk or milk with a label indicating it was produced from cows not treated with hormones
Milk Substitutes
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR), Section 210.10 (m)(2)(ii)(B) requires that parents or legal guardians must request the fluid milk substitution in writing; the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not able to grant a waiver on this requirement. The written statement is required by statute and regulation when the fluid milk substitute is being served as part of the reimbursable meal.
Substitutes for Disability Reasons
- Program operators must offer fluid milk substitutes to students for: (1) Disabilities, or (2) Medical needs when a state licensed healthcare professional (licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner) completes and signs the CNP-925. The CNP-925 (CDE Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations Form) is located in the Download Forms Section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System.
Substitutes for Nondisability Reasons
- Program operators are given the discretion to offer fluid milk substitutes to students for (1) Medical and (2) Special Dietary needs, when the parent or guardian completes, signs, and returns the SNP-26: Parental Request for Fluid Milk Substitution for School-age Children. The SNP 26 is located in the Download Forms Section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System. Special dietary needs include those accommodations related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference. An electronic signature is acceptable on this form.
For more information on the program operator's role in providing milk substitutions, visit the CDE Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions web page.
Nutrient Standards for Fluid Milk and Substitutes
A program operator who offers a milk substitute to a student for disability reasons, and has the Special Meals and/or Accommodations form on file, is required to provide the substitute that is requested by the state licensed healthcare professional (licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner).
If a program operator offers a milk substitute to student for nondisability reasons, and has a Parental Request for a Fluid Milk Substitution form on file, the nondairy beverage must provide the nutrients listed in the following table:
| Nutrient | Per one (1) cup (8 ounces) |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 276 milligrams (mg) |
| Protein | 8 grams |
| Vitamin A | 500 International units (IU) |
| Vitamin D | 100 IU |
| Magnesium | 24 mg |
| Phosphorus | 222 mg |
| Potassium | 349 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.1 micrograms |
Policy Guidance
The USDA and CDE have issued the following policy memoranda related to milk requirements. When merited, the CDE will release an additional management bulletin to include state specific policy guidance and further explain or clarify the topic.
| Release Date | Subject | Reference Number |
|---|---|---|
| March 2017 | Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities | SNP-02-2017 |
| June 2016 | Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk | SNP-13-2016 |
| April 2010 | Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions | USDA-CNP-04-2010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The CDE NSD is providing FAQs to help clarify common questions regarding milk requirements in the CNPs.
Contacts
If you have any questions regarding milk requirements, please contact Lori Porter, Child Nutrition Consultant, Southern School Nutrition Programs Unit (SNPU) by phone at 916-322-1454 or by email at lporter@cde.ca.gov, or Mia Bertacchi, Child Nutrition Assistant, Northern SNPU, by phone at 916-445-1261 or by email at mbertacchi@cde.ca.gov.
