FNS Documents & Resources

On Dec. 1, 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration published the final rule, Food Labeling; Calorie Labeling of Articles of Food in Vending Machines, in the Federal Register.

This memorandum clarifies FNS policy regarding the calorie and nutrient requirements for meals planned using alternate menu planning approaches.

This publication has been prepared for juice drink manufacturers.  It contains directions for calculating the contribution that a juice drink or juice drink product makes toward meeting meal pattern requirements for the child nutrition programs.  It also contains instructions on how to apply for and obtain approval of a label with a child nutrition (CN) statement. 

It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion concerning fluid milk, and how it is offered in reimbursable lunches. Under all menu planning approaches, fluid milk is a separate food component/menu item.