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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 Office of P-20 Education Policy |
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) published, “Nutrition Standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs” on January 26, 2012. This final rule removes Section I. Formulated Grain-Fruit Products from Appendix A to Part 220 – Alternate Foods for Meals (attached).
Beginning July 1, 2012 (SY 2012-2013), formulated grain-fruit products will no longer be allowed to satisfy both the grain and fruit component for the School Breakfast Program (SBP). These products were formulated to satisfy the bread and fruit component of the meal pattern through fortification without the addition of any actual fruit ingredients, at a time when the adequacy of cooking and serving facilities were of concern for students participating in the SBP.
Formulated grain-fruit products are specific products that are manufactured to meet the requirements addressed in Appendix A to Part 220 and should not be confused with products that are currently on the market that contain grain and fruit. This change does not affect the crediting of traditional grain-fruit bars listed in Exhibit A of the Grains/Breads instruction, which may still be served accordingly.
Formulated grain-fruit products are specific products that have been accepted by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for use in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs to meet one bread/bread alternate and the fruit/vegetable requirement in the breakfast pattern.
According to Appendix A to Part 220, formulated grain-fruit products must be individually wrapped and bear a label conforming to the following legend: “This product conforms to U.S.D.A. Child Nutrition Programs specifications. For breakfast, it meets the requirements for fruit/vegetable/juice and one bread/bread alternate.” If the product does not bear this legend, it is not a formulated grain-fruit product.
Products that were formally authorized to bear the formulated grain-fruit statement that meet FNS requirements for grains may be used accordingly. However, these formulated grain-fruit products will no longer be allowed to count toward the fruit requirement. In summary, you can still purchase and serve these products for the grain component-not the fruit!
Please contact your Child Nutrition representative with any questions or concerns.
