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Snacks and Vended Items

State board of Education policies (4321.1) establish nutrition standards not only for meals, but also for other foods that are sold or served to students during the school day. Information here may be helpful in determining whether specific other foods comply with these standards.

First, remember that any food that is creditable toward an approved meal pattern meets standards. Foods, such as crackers, corn chips (nachos), cheese, nuts, peanut butter, are creditable and therefore the fat and sugar content standards do not apply.

Second, some foods regardless of their nutrient composition, do not meet standards. Any food that is defined within policy as candy, soft drink, chewing gum or flavored ice bar does not meet standards and are prohibited, with one exception. Soft drinks may be sold ONLY in high schools (grades 9 through 12) AND ONLY with approval of the county board of education.

Determining whether foods meet the fat, sugar and juice standards may be determined by referring to product information that generally appears on food labels like the one here.

Number of fat grams ÷ Serving weight in ounces = gm/oz

Note: If serving weight is given in grams, convert to ounces first by dividing gram weight by 28.35. Serving weight in grams ÷ 28.35 = ounces.

Grams of sugar ÷ Serving weight in grams = % sugar by weight

Note: If serving size in not given in grams, convert to grams. Servings given in liquid measures such as fluid ounces or liters will need to be weighed, then converted from ounce weight to gram weight. Serving in ounces (weight) x 28.35 = gram weight.

Some products such as fruit bars, may contain “naturally occurring” sugars that do not need to be considered in determining whether they meet standards.Since nutrition labels show only “total sugars"” it might be necessary to get “total added sugars” product information from the manufacturer.

Labels appearing on all beverages conatining juice MUST indicate the percentage of juice contained in the product.

Note: This standard applies to any juice or juice product. It does not apply to products which are labeled milk or 100% water.

WVDE

Office of Child Nutrition

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