Policy memo (80.64 KB)
| DATE: | October 13, 2011 |
| MEMO: | Notice to Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program Industry |
| SUBJECT: | Transitioning to Whole Grain-rich Foods and Including Standardized Claims for Vegetable Subgroups |
| TO: | All Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce (USDA and USDC) Authorized CN Labeling Program Participants |
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the USDC National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will issue temporary approvals set to expire on June 30, 2014, for all CN label applications that contain grains/breads crediting information which do not meet the attached whole grain-rich criteria. The temporary approvals are intended to provide adequate time for manufacturers to seek guidance and reformulate products to meet the voluntary HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) whole-grain criteria which are consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).
Additionally, AMS and NMFS will provide assistance with standardizing CN label claims that document specific volumes of the vegetable component subgroups such as: dark green, orange/red, legume, starchy and other as more products will be developed to contribute to these subgroups to support HUSSC and 2010 DGAs.
The Food and Nutrition Service will provide additional technical assistance as it becomes available by posting it to the CN labeling program web site and will notify participants of its availability through the GovDelivery service email notification system.
Thank you for your continued support of the child nutrition programs.
Cynthia Long
Director
Child Nutrition Division