The Specifics

These are the specific guidelines for the USDA's "Smart Snacks In School" Rules. The entire rules can be viewed here.

Any food sold in schools must: 

First:

• Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product (meaning the food contains 50% whole grains or have whole grains as the first ingredient); or
• Have a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food as the first ingredient; or 
• Contain at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable (these are called, "combination foods"); or 
• Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the "nutrients of public health concern" in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber. Note: On July 1, 2016, foods may not qualify using the 10% DV criteria.

Second:

Any food sold in schools must meet the following nutrient limits:

Calorie limits:

• Snacks must contain less than or equal to 200 calories
• A la carte entrees must contain less than or equal to 350 calories

Sugar limits:

• Snacks must contain less than or equal to 35% sugar by weight
• Exemptions include: dried fruit without added sugars and even those with added nutritive sweeteners that are required for processing and/or palatability purposes (such as cranberries, tart cherries, and blueberries). The USDA will be providing more guidance on this particular exemption in the coming months. Products that consist of only dried fruit with nuts and/or seeds with no added nutritive sweeteners or fat will also be exempt.

Sodium limits:

• Snacks must contain less than or equal to 230mg of sodium until July 1, 2016; thereafter, snacks must contain less than or equal to 200mg sodium
• A la carte entrees must contain equal or less than 480mg

Fat limits:

• Total fat must be less than or equal to 35% of calories
• Saturated fat must be less than or equal to 10% of calories
• There must be no trans fat in the product, per the label
• Exemptions include: nuts & seeds, nut & seed butters, seafood and part-skim mozzarella cheese

Beverage limits differ based on grade level:

All grades:

• Plain water (carbonated or uncarbonated), lowfat milk (unflavored) and nonfat milk (including flavored), nutritionally equivalent milk alternatives (as permitted by the school meal requirements), and full strength fruit or vegetable juices and full strength fruit and vegetable juice diluted with water or carbonated water are allowed. 
• Beverages are limited to 8 fluid ounces for elementary schools, and 12 fluid ounces for middle and high schools (exception: water can be any size). Beverages must be caffeine-free for elementary and middle schools.

For high schools:

• Calorie-free beverages are allowed in up to 20oz containers (less than or equal to five calories per 8-ounce serving or less than or equal to 10 calories per 20 fluid ounces)
• Lower calories drinks with up to 40 calories per 8 ounces will be accepted, while 12-ounce drinks with up to 60 calories will also be accepted
• Caffeine is permitted

© Annabel Adams, Smart Snacks In School, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Annabel Adams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.