School Snack Requirements

We understand that parents have many concerns regarding school meals and snacks. The guidelines that we follow are handed down by the USDA. We are sharing this school snack information sheet with you to help you better understand the guidelines that we are being asked to follow.

USDA recently published practical, science-based nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages sold to children at school during the school day. The standards, required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, will allow schools to offer healthier snack foods to children, while limiting junk food. Smart Snacks in School also support efforts by school food service staff, school administrators, teachers, parents and the school community, all working hard to instill healthy habits in students.

   Nutrition Standards for Foods

●           
Any food sold in schools must:

•      Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or

•      Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or

•      Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or

•      Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of

the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber).*

●            Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:

•      Calorie limits:

°        Snack items: ≤ 200 calories

°        Entrée items: ≤ 350 calories                                                                                                   

•      Sodium limits:

°        Snack items: ≤ 230 mg**

°        Entrée items: ≤ 480 mg

•      Fat limits:

°        Total fat: ≤35% of calories

°        Saturated fat: < 10% of calories

°        Trans fat: zero grams

•      Sugar limit:

°        ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

          Nutrition Standards for Beverages

●            All schools may sell:

•      Plain water (with or without carbonation)

•      Unflavored low fat milk,unflavored or flavored fat free milk and milk alternatives permitted by NSLP/SBP

•      100% fruit or vegetable juice and

•      100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation), and no added sweeteners.

●            Elementary schools may sell up to 8-ounce portions, while middle schools and high schools may sell up to 12-ounce portions of milk and juice. There is no portion size limit for plain water.

●            Beyond this, the standards allow additional “no calorie” and “lower calorie” beverage options for high school students.

•      No more than 20-ounce portions of

•      Calorie-free, flavored water (with or without carbonation); and

•      Other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain < 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤ 10 calories per 20 fluid ounces.

•      No more than 12-ounce portions of

•      Beverages with ≤ 40 calories per 8 fluid ounces, or ≤ 60 calories per 12 fluid ounces.

Other Requirements

•      The sale of food items that meet nutrition requirements at fundraisers are not limited in any way under the

standards.

•      The standards do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at off-campus fundraising events.

•      The standards provide a special exemption for infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the nutrition standards.

•      Accompaniments such as cream cheese, salad dressing and butter must be included in the nutrient profile. This helps control the amount of calories, fat, sugar and sodium added to foods by accompaniments, which can be significant.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.