The Child Nutrition Labeling Program: An Overview.

This manual establishes policies and procedures for the Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program, a voluntary federal program run by the United States Department of Agriculture. The program is responsible for reviewing a product formulation to determine the contribution a single serving of that product makes toward the child nutrition meal pattern requirements. Meal pattern requirements specify foods and minimum amounts that must be served in institutions participating in child nutrition programs (for example, the school lunch program). Procedures described here apply to juice drinks and juice drink products and to food products served in main dishes that contribute significantly to the meat or meat alternate component of the meal pattern. These guidelines were developed to assist food service directors in determining the actual contribution of commercially prepared items such as beef patties and combination items (burritos, pizza, etc.) toward meal pattern requirements. This manual also specifically details information on the development of the CN Labeling Program; eligibility criteria to be met for products to receive a CN Label Statement; instructions on how to identify a CN label; penalties for misusing the CN logo; the advantages of using CN labeled products; what a CN label does not mean; the basis for crediting meat, poultry and seafood products; and how to submit a label application. (CB)