Milk Requirements in the Child Nutrition Programs

Meal Pattern Requirements

For each CNP, the fluid milk requirements vary. Review the descriptions and use the links below for more information about each program’s requirement. Program operators may make accommodations for disability and non-disability reasons; refer to the Substitutions tab of this web page for more information.

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. At least two milk choices must be offered and must follow the age-based requirements listed below. Pasteurized, fluid types of whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent) or fat-free milk that meet state and local standards and contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must be offered. Milk may be flavored or unflavored; if flavored milk is offered, it must not exceed the established limit for added sugars of no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounces and the other milk choice offered must be unflavored. Allowable milk types by age are as follows: One (1) years of age- unflavored whole milk only Two to 5 years old- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; unflavored only Six (6) years and older and adults- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; milk may be unflavored or flavored Lactose-free and reduced-lactose fluid milk as well as cultured milk, acidified milk, and Ultra High Temperature milk are also allowed. Additionally, the saturated fat content of milk offered as a part of the NSLP is not included in the weekly calculations determining the percent of calories from saturated fat as per Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (7CFR) Section 210.10(b)(2)(ii).
SBP Meal Pattern web page	In the SBP, whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent) or fat-free fluid milk must be one of the three components offered to students at breakfast. At least two milk choices must be offered and must follow the age-based requirements listed below. Pasteurized, fluid types of milk that meet state and local standards and contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the FDA must be offered. Milk may be flavored or unflavored; if flavored milk is offered it must not exceed the established limit for added sugars of no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounces and the other milk choice offered must be unflavored. Allowable milk types by age are as follows:  One (1) years of age- unflavored whole milk only Two to 5 years old- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; unflavored only Six (6) years and older and adults- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; milk may be unflavored or flavored Lactose-free, and reduced-lactose fluid milk as well as cultured milk, acidified milk, and Ultra High Temperature milk are also allowed. Additionally, the saturated fat content of milk offered as a part of the SBP is not included in the weekly calculations determining the percent of calories from saturated fat as per 7 CFR Section 220.8(b)(2)(ii).
Serving Afterschool Snacks web page	In the Afterschool Snack Program, fluid milk, is one of five food components that can be served. Program operators must select two of the five components for a reimbursable snack. When milk is served as a snack component, it is not required that program operators offer a variety of milk choices. Fluid milk cannot be served when juice is the only other food component available. (7 CFR Section 210.10) Allowable milk types by age are as follows:  One (1) years of age- unflavored whole milk only Two to 5 years old- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; unflavored only Six (6) years and older and adults- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; milk may be unflavored or flavored Lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk as well as cultured milk, acidified milk, and Ultra High Temperature milk are also allowed.
SFSP Meal Pattern web page	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). 7 CFR 225.16(f)(1)(i) However, if the program operator only operates the SFSP, then the SFSP meal pattern must be implemented, and only one type of milk, whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent) or fat-free, needs to be offered. Pasteurized, fluid types of milk that meet state and local standards and contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the FDA must be offered. Milk may be flavored or unflavored. Lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk as well as cultured milk, acidified milk, and Ultra High Temperature milk are also allowed.
SSO web page	In the SSO, program operators use the NSLP and SBP meal patterns (above). Title 42 United States Code Section 1761[a][8]
Special Milk Program web page	In the Special Milk Program, only one type of fluid milk needs to be offered. The age of the children being served will dictate the allowable fat content of the fluid milk offered and whether or not flavored milk is permitted. 7 CFR Part 215 As per 7 CFR Section 215.7a(a), all fluid milk served in the Special Milk Program must be pasteurized, meet State and local standards and contain vitamins A and D at levels specified by the FDA. One (1) years of age- unflavored whole milk only Two to 5 years old- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; unflavored only Six (6) years and older and adults- whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk; milk may be unflavored or flavored Lactose-free and reduced-lactose fluid milk as well as cultured milk, acidified milk, and Ultra High Temperature milk are also allowed.

Requirements for Types of Milks Offered

Program operators must offer children 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.

On May 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs Final Rule (91 FR 25073); with an effective date of June 8, 2026, this final rule provides program operators the flexibility to:

• Serve reduced-fat (two percent) and whole milk, in addition to fat-free and low-fat (one percent) fluid milk in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), the Special Milk Program, and NSLP afterschool snack program per the following requirements:
  
  
  • One (1) year old children must be served unflavored whole milk
    
    
  • Children aged two (2) to 5 years old must be served unflavored whole, reduced-fat (two percent), low-fat (one percent), or fat-free milk
    
    
  • Children ages six (6) and older and adults may be served unflavored or flavored whole, reduced-fat (2 percent), low-fat (1 percent), or fat-free milk;
    
    
• Exclude the saturated fat content for milk served as an NSLP or SBP meal component from the calculations to determine the percent of weekly calories from saturated fat.

These flexibilities build on the existing flexibilities that program operators have to offer the following fluid milk options as long as they adhere to state and federal requirements:

• Lactose-free, and reduced-lactose fluid milk
• Organic milk or milk with a label indicating it was produced from cows not treated with hormones
• Cultured milk, such as cultured buttermilk, cultured kefir milk, and cultured acidophilus milk
• Acidified milk, such as acidified kefir milk and acidified acidophilus milk
• Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk
• Fluid milk substitutes including plant-based milk alternatives such as soymilk

These flexibilities are in addition to the existing requirements for SBP, NSLP, and SSO that:

• At least two types of milk must be offered
  
  
• If flavored milk is offered, then unflavored milk must also be available at the meal service
  
  
• Flavored milk must contain no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounces; flavored milk is not allowable for children 5 years and under.

Information regarding vitamin A and D level requirements is located on the Nutrient Standards tab.

For more information visit the Substitutions tab of this web page.

Milk Substitutes

Nondairy beverages offered as fluid milk substitutes, such as plant-based milk alternatives, may be offered in the CNPs to accommodate disability and non-disability related requests.

Fluid Milk Substitutes for Disability Reasons

Overview

If a child requests a fluid milk substitute due to a disability, it must be accommodated once the program operator is provided a written medical statement that addresses the need; program operators, however, are encouraged to provide accommodations as soon as they are notified of the request. Written medical statements may be completed and signed by a registered dietitian (RD) or one of the following state licensed healthcare professionals – physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. For NSLP only, a parent or guardian may provide a written statement for a child’s disability related request for a fluid milk substitute. (USDA FNS Policy Memorandum SP 01-2026)

If a medical statement does not fully explain the modification needed, the program operator should immediately contact the child’s parent or guardian for guidance and ask the family to provide an amended medical statement as soon as possible. However, clarification of the medical statement should not delay the program operator from providing the modification. Program operators should follow the portion of the medical statement that is clear and unambiguous to the greatest extent possible, while obtaining the additional information.

Program operators must ensure that parents, guardians, and children have notice of the procedure for requesting meal modifications for disabilities and the process for procedural safeguards related to meal modifications for disabilities.

Note that if expenses incurred when making meal modifications exceed program reimbursement rates, costs may be paid from the nonprofit food service account.

Documentation

Program operators must offer fluid milk substitutes to students for: (1) Disabilities, or (2) Medical needs, when:

• An RD or a state licensed healthcare professional (licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner) completes and signs the CDE Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations form (CNP-925).
  
  
  • The CNP-925 form is located in the Download Forms Section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS).
    
    
• For NSLP only, it is allowable for a parent or legal guardian to provide a written statement for a child’s disability related request for a fluid milk substitute (USDA FNS Policy Memorandum SP 01-2026).
  
  
  • If a parent or legal guardian would like to request a fluid milk substitution at NSLP lunch for their child whose disability affects their diet, they must submit a signed Parental Request for a Fluid Milk Substitution form (SNP-26) to the program operator.
    
    
  • The SNP-26 form is located in the Download Forms Section of the CNIPS
    
    
• Written medical statements must be maintained on file to support the necessary accommodation.  Written statements from parents must be kept on file until the parent or legal guardian revokes the statement.
  
  
• Program operators are not required to submit the statements or forms to the CDE.

Substitutes for Non-disability Reasons

Overview

If a child has a non-disability reason for a fluid milk substitute, such as personal preference or religious need, program operators have the discretion and are encouraged to offer one upon request; however, one must be offered once the appropriate forms are completed and submitted. The fluid milk substitute that is offered must meet the nutritional specifications identified on the Nutrient Standards tab of this web page but does not necessarily need to be the substitute requested.

If a program operator chooses to offer nondairy beverages to all students at NSLP lunch only, they are no longer required to notify the CDE that it is serving nondairy beverages and students who request a fluid milk substitute for a non-disability reason are no longer required to submit a written statement requesting one.

For more information regarding meal modifications for disabilities, visit the Disability Modifications Including Food Allergies web page.

Documentation

Program operators are given the discretion to offer fluid milk substitutes to students for (1) Medical and (2) Special Dietary needs, (related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference, for example), when:

• The program operator has found a product that meets the Food and Drug Administration specified nutrient standards;
  
  
  • Nutrition information must be maintained on file
    
    
• Prior to providing a fluid milk substitute for a non-disability reason, a school food authority has obtained a written request from the student's parent or guardian, a State licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, or a registered dietitian that identifies the reason for the substitute.
  
  
  • The parent or guardian completes, signs, and returns the Parental Request for Fluid Milk Substitution for School-age Children form (SNP-26), located in the Download Forms Section of the CNIPS.
    
    
  • An electronic signature is acceptable on this form.
    
    
  • Keep this written statement on file until the parent or legal guardian revokes the statement.
    
    
• When providing a student a fluid milk substitute for non-disability reasons, program operators must notify the CDE by emailing a completed and signed Fluid Milk Substitutions Notification form (SNP-05) to SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.
  
  
  • The SNP-05 form is only required to be submitted once and will remain in effect until the program operator changes its fluid milk substitution policy.
    
    
  • The SNP-05 form is located in the Download Forms Section of the CNIPS.
    
    
• When offering nondairy beverages to all students at NSLP lunch only:
  
  
  • Program operators are no longer required to notify the CDE that it is serving nondairy beverages
    
    
  • Students who request a fluid milk substitute for a non-disability reason are no longer required to submit a written statement requesting a nutritionally equivalent fluid milk substitute.

For more information on the program operator's role in providing milk substitutions, visit the CDE Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions Management Bulletin SNP-11-2026 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 RD or state licensed healthcare professional (licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner). For NSLP lunch service only, it is also allowable for a parent or legal guardian to provide a written statement for a child’s disability related request for a fluid milk substitute.

If a program operator offers a milk substitute to a student for non-disability reasons, the nondairy beverage must provide the nutrients listed in the following table:

Policy Guidance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and CDE have issued the following policy memoranda related to milk requirements.

Release Date	Subject	Reference Number
May 2026	Final Rule: Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs	91 FR 25073
April 2026	Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs	SNP-10-2026
January 2026	Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 – Implementation Requirements for the National School Lunch Program	SP 01-2026
April 2026	Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions	SNP-11-2026
October 2024	Fluid Milk Requirements for Schools	SP-01-2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The CDE Nutrition Services Division (NSD) is providing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help clarify common questions regarding milk requirements in the CNPs.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding milk requirements for the CNPs, contact the School Nutrition Program Unit by email at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.