October 23, 2009
TO: Sponsors of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
RE: Crediting Yogurt
The Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs (ODE CNP) received
guidance from USDA concerning crediting yogurt as a meat alternate in the
reimbursable meal pattern.
USDA defines yogurt as follows: Yogurt means commercially prepared coagulated milk
products obtained by the fermentation of specific bacteria, that meet milk fat or milk
solid requirements and to which flavoring foods or ingredients may be added.
USDA refined its guidance to allow portable yogurt to credit as a meat alternate in the
reimbursable meal patterns, as long as the product:
- Meets FDA’s Standard of Identity for yogurt
- Cannot be consumed with a straw (i.e. drinkable yogurt), and
- Is not served frozen
In the past, USDA advised State agencies that portable yogurt products could not credit
in reimbursable meals, since they contained stabilizers and thus, did not meet the
FDA’s Standard of Identity.
If you have questions, please contact your assigned Child Nutrition Specialist.
Sincerely,
Heidi Dupuis
Manager, School Nutrition
Child Nutrition Programs
Office of the Superintendent