Reimbursement For Recycled Milk and Other Meal Components

This Instruction sets forth the policy concerning recycling of milk and other meal components. 

To avoid food waste, served milk that is unopened and retrieved for reservice, or the reservice of other items as a component of another reimbursed meal, is permitted if such practice is not contrary to applicable State and local health codes. This policy is based on the regulatory provision that Federal reimbursement is provided to the participating school food authority, institution or sponsor for each meal served to participants, which meets the meal pattern requirements in Sections 210.10, 220.8, 225.16, and 226.20 of the Department's regulations. 

Application of this policy is to be limited to those situations where it is necessary to prevent food waste. Where nonconsumption and, therefore, the practice of recycling is extensive, appropriate measures should be taken to assure that increased consumption is encouraged through proper and appealing service, nutrition education and other means. 

With regard to accountability for such recycled meal components, Sections 210.8(c), 220.11(b), 225.9(d)(4), and 226.10(c) require that claims for reimbursement shall include data in sufficient detail to justify the reimbursement claimed. Other sections indicate that all claims are subject to review or audit and must be substantiated by appropriate documentation. Participating schools, institutions and sponsors should therefore maintain some record of their daily use of purchased milk or other food items which are recycled. 

Samuel Bauer
Director
Child Nutrition Division