Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk

This Management Bulletin (MB) supersedes MB USDA-SNP-07-2011: Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk (June 2011) and provides clarification to National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program sponsors on the requirements for fluid milk.

Background

On December 13, 2010, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), reauthorizing the child nutrition programs. The HHFKA amended Section 9(a)(2)(A) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, modifying requirements for fluid milk. It removes the requirement that schools must serve milk in a variety of fat contents and instead requires that schools offer at least two milk choices from fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) fluid milk options.

The Institute of Medicine recommended this change to align the School Nutrition Programs with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Requirements

To comply with these requirements, school food authorities must offer at least two milk choices.

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 must be offered. All milk must be fat-free or low-fat. Milk with higher fat content is not allowed. Fluid milk may be flavored or unflavored. Low-fat or fat-free, lactose-free, and reduced-lactose fluid milk may also be offered.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding this MB, please contact Lori Porter, Child Nutrition Consultant, Southern School Nutrition Programs Unit (SNPU) by phone at 916-322-1454 or by e-mail at lporter@cde.ca.gov, or Mia Bertacchi, Child Nutrition Assistant, Northern SNPU, by phone at 916-445-1261 or by e-mail at mbertacchi@cde.ca.gov.