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Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars in the CACFP

illustration of child eating a bowl of cereal at the table

These worksheets can be used to empower Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) providers and operators with the knowledge, skills and expertise to implement CACFP meal pattern requirements. Download the print version for a fillable worksheet.

All breakfast cereals served in the CACFP must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce.

There are many types of cereal that meet this added sugars limit. You can use any cereal that is listed on any state agency’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-approved cereal list. You can also find cereals that meet the added sugars limit by using the Nutrition Facts label and following the steps below:

Nutrition Facts label showing that a serving size for this cereal is 3/4 cup and it includes 4 grams of added sugars
  1. Use the Nutrition Facts label to find the Serving size, in grams (g) of the cereal.
  2. Find the Added Sugars line. Look at the number of grams (g) next to Added Sugars.
  3. Use the serving size identified in Step 1 to find the serving size of the cereal in the table below.
  4. In the table, look at the number to the right of the serving size amount, under the “Added Sugars” column. If the cereal has that amount of added sugars, or less, the cereal meets the added sugars limit.
Serving Size*Added Sugars
If the serving size is:Added sugars must not be more than:
12–16 grams3 grams
26–30 grams6 grams
31–35 grams7 grams
45–49 grams10 grams
55–58 grams12 grams
59–63 grams13 grams
74–77 grams16 grams

*Serving sizes here refer to those commonly found for the breakfast cereals.

Training Resources

Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars in the CACFP

To receive a certificate of participation after viewing the webinar, please visit The National CACFP Sponsor Association Learning Center and complete the post-webinar practice questions. It may take a few days to receive your certificate.

Page updated: May 04, 2026