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Appendix C: The USDA Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program

Common Questions

Sample CN Logo

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What Is the CN Labeling Program?

A voluntary Federal labeling program for CNP

Provides information regarding the food product’s contribution to food-based meal patterns

Applies to both the Traditional and the Enhanced food-based menu planning approaches

May be helpful for NSMP

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Who Operates the Program?

The CN labeling Program is operated by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in cooperation with the following agencies:

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

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How Does the CN Labeling Program Work?

Manufacturer submits product formulation to FNS.

FNS evaluates submitted manufacturer formulation and verifies that the claim of contribution on the label is

accurate. FNS approves label in Final.

FSIS, AMS, or NMFS also approves labels as appropriate.

USDA, FNS provides CNP operators a warranty against audit claims.

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To Carry CN Labels, Eligible Products Must

have the contribution of the food component(s) determined using yields in the USDA’s Food Buying Guide,

have the product formulation and CN label approved by FNS, and

be produced under inspection.

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Main Dish Products That Contribute to the M/MA

Products That Are Eligible for CN Labels

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Juice and Juice-Based Drink Products Containing at Least

50% Full-Strength Juice by Volume.

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Which Products Are/Are Not Eligible for CN Labeling?

Are Eligible Are Not Eligible

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Juice-Based ProductsTake Different Forms

Fruit and/or juice-based sherbets and fruit ices are popular CN labeled products.

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Ready-to-Eat, Frozen-Prepared, and Refrigerated-Prepared Pizzas All Need Documentation for Crediting

? + = M/MA

??

= V/F

= G/BIngredients cannot be separated to weigh and measure.

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000000*

This 5.00 oz pizza with Ground Beef and Vegetable Protein Product provides 2.00 oz equivalent meat/meat alternate, 1/8-cup serving of vegetable, and 1-1/2 servings of bread alternate for the Child Nutrition Meal Pattern Requirements. (Use of this logo and statement authorized by the Food and

Nutrition Service, USDA XX-XX**)

The CN Label Tells Us What We Cannot Determine for Ourselves

*The six-digit CN identification number is assigned by the FNS, CND Headquarters office.

**This date is written using numbers to reflect the month/year of final approval.

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000000

This 5.00 oz pizza with Ground Beef and Vegetable Protein Product provides 2.00 oz equivalent meat/meat alternate, 1/8-cup serving of vegetable, and 1-1/2 servings of bread alternate for the Child Nutrition Meal Pattern Requirements. (Use of this logo and statement authorized by the Food and

Nutrition Service, USDA XX-XX**)

An Authentic CN Label Contains

Meal Pattern Contribution Statement

Month and Year of Approval

6-Digit Product Identification Number

Logo With Distinct Border

Statement Specifying CN Label Was Authorized by FNS

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6-Digit Product Identification Number The number is individual to a product formulation

and a particular manufacturing plant. The sameformulation manufactured in two different plantswill carry different CN product identificationnumbers.

Products may be tracked using manufacturer code numbers. The 6-digit CN identification number can be used to track a particular formula made at a particular establishment.

No valid CN number will ever be 000000, nor willit contain Xs; these are used in examples only.

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6-Digit Product Identification Number

Once in a while an invalid CN label will be used. Ifthis is suspected, the label should be sentimmediately to your State agency or USDA, FNS.

Manufacturers sometimes use labels that look like CNlabels but are not. Becareful to look for thecomponents previouslyidentified.

FNS cannot provide a warranty for use of productswith no or an invalid CN label.

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Do Not Specify CN Labels for Vegetables/Fruits or Grains/Breads

Remember, CN labeledGrains/Breads or Vegetables/Fruits (with theexception of juice-based) food products do not exist!

Be careful not to include this requirement whenwriting food descriptions for these products.

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Questions and Answers

Are manufacturers requiredto CN label products?

Are schools required to buyCN labeled products?

Are CN labeled products more nutritious?

Are CN labeled products higher quality?

Yes No

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Do CN Labeled Products Have Advantages?

Yes No A CN label statement clearly identifies the contribution of a product toward the meal pattern requirements and it protects the purchaser from exaggerated claims about the product.

A CN label provides a warranty against audit claims if the product is used according to manufacturer’s directions.

A CN label simplifies cost comparison of similar products.

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Do CN Labeled Products Cost More?

MaybeCN labeled products may cost more. Special labeling requirements, inspection,

and extra staff costs to monitor quality control may contribute to CN labeled products costing more, but not necessarily.

When you do a cost comparison between two M/MA products, it is the cost per ounce of M/MA rather than the cost per ounce or pound of the product that should be compared.

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There are yield data tablesdeveloped especially for use by industryand by FNS when crediting CN labels.CNP should use this information to verify manufacturer analysis sheets.

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Appendix D: The Purchasing Process

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First Choice: A Purchasing Systems Manual for School Food Service

Publication number EX 59-02

Covers management of the entire purchasing process

Includes appendices with sample forms

Includes reference materials and glossary

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Choice Plus: A Reference Guide for Foods and Ingredients

Publication number FCS-297 Focuses on food and ingredient

specifications/product sheets for a wide variety of products

Offers tips on writing specifications and buying food

Includes laws, standards, regulations, and resources

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Appendix E: Resources

Look here first for many useful resources!

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Appendix E: Resources

Quick Web Site and Phone Number Guide

How to Order Publications FNS Publications FNS Useful Resources NFSMI Publications USDA Useful Resources Other Federal Resources Food Safety Resources

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Sources of Information

Healthy School Meals Resource Systems (HSMRS)

Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library (FNIC)

Team Nutrition National Food Service

Management Institute (NFSMI)

Food Distribution

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More Sources of Information

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP)

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

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Even More Sources of Information!

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal Register Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) United States Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) Food Safety Resources

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NFSMI Publications and Training Materials

First Choice and Choice Plus

Guide for Purchasing Food Service Equipment

The New Design Handbook for School Food Service

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FNS Publications and Training Materials

Menu Planning Recipes Nutrition Guidance for

CNP Improving the School

Nutrition Environment Procurement Cooking Description of Programs

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Food and Nutrition Service Regional Offices

List of USDA Regional Offices: Addresses Phone Numbers States Represented

Working with Stateagencies to support YOU in your IMPORTANT WORK!

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Index of Foods

A quick, easy way to find the foods you are looking for in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs