The Child Nutrition (CN) label provides a way for a manufacturer to demonstrate how a processed food product may contribute to the meal pattern requirements in child nutrition programs. A CN label is voluntarily provided by manufacturers at the request of program operators. A CN label is approved by USDA and provides a warranty of a product’s meal pattern contribution.
Note: As of July 1, 2024, “beans, peas, and lentils” is the term used to describe the vegetable subgroup formerly known as “legumes.” Manufacturers may continue to use the term “legumes vegetables” on approved CN labels. At the time of application renewal or resubmission, manufacturers must update the term to “beans, peas, and lentils.”
Program Manual
CN Labeling Policies and Procedures
- Notice to the Trade: CN Label to Include the Declaration of All Creditable Grains
- Buy American Provision
- Transitioning to Whole Grain-rich Foods and Including Standardized Claims for Vegetable Subgroups
- Breaded Rework Clarification
- Copying Federally Inspected Product Labels for Bidding Process – CN Policy
- Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements
- Tips for Accepting Processed Product Documentation
Quality Control (QC) Requirements
- QC Notices
- Guidelines for Preparing QC Programs
- SOP for Submitting and Approving QC Programs for CN Labeled Products
- USDA/USDC Checklist for Approving QC Plans
Monitoring QC Compliance
Helpful Links
- CN labeling Program FAQ's
- Alternate Protein Product Requirements
- Alternate Protein Product Sample Documentation
- Questions and Answers on Alternate Protein Products
- Meal Requirements for NSLP
- Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
CN Label Application and Review
- Points to Remember - For facilitating the CN label review process
- How to Complete the 7234 Form
- Tax ID form
- Service Agreement
Manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement (PFS)
*To gain full function of the templates, either right click on the web link and save the file on your computer or open the web link, save the file on your computer, and then reopen it. Please contact cnpntab@usda.gov for further assistance.
PFS Templates and Samples
- Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA)
- Vegetables and Fruits
- Template for School Meals (vegetables with subgroups)
- Sample for School Meals (vegetables with subgroups)
- Template for CACFP and SFSP
- Grains
- Template for School Meals and CACFP (ounce equivalents)
- Sample for School Meals and CACFP (ounce equivalents)
- Template for SFSP (grains/breads servings)
- Sample for SFSP (grains/breads servings)
- Multiple Component Foods
- Sample with grains, M/MA (breakfast sandwich)
- Sample with M/MA, vegetable subgroups (beans, peas, lentils as vegetable) (chili)
- Sample with M/MA, vegetable subgroups (beans, peas, lentils as M/MA) (chili)
- Sample with M/MA, fruit (smoothie)