Resource type
Technical Assistance & Guidance
Resource Materials
CN Labeling Policies and Procedures
- Notice to the Trade: CN Label to Include the Declaration of All Creditable Grains (5/19)
- Buy American Provision (6/30/17)
- Transitioning to Whole Grain-rich Foods and Including Standardized Claims for Vegetable Subgroups (10/13/11)
- Clarification of Batter/Breading Calculation
- Declaration Statements
- Breaded Rework Clarification
- Copying Federally Inspected Product Labels for Bidding Process – CN Policy (12/10/10)
- SP 11-2015: CN Labels Copied with a Watermark (11/26/14)
- SP27 CACFP09 SFSP12-2015: Administrative Review Process Regarding the Child Nutrition (CN) Label, Watermarked CN Label and Manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement (3/11/15)
- Tip Sheet for Accepting Processed Product Documentation
Quality Control (QC) Requirements
- QC Notices (7/1/08 - 7/23/09)
- Guidelines for Preparing QC Programs (5/21/14)
- SOP for Submitting and Approving QC Programs for CN Labeled Products (5/21/14)
- USDA/USDC Checklist for Approving QC Plans (4/22/09)
Monitoring QC Compliance
- SOPs for Verification Service for CN Products (10/1/13)
- AMS/NMFS Plant Monitoring Review Checklist (10/1/13)
CN Label Reviews: Transition from FNS to AMS
- Transfer of CN Label Review Function from FNS to AMS
- FNS/AMS PowerPoint Presentation: Providing Standardized Food Crediting Statements on Product Labels (11/30/09)
- Service Agreement with AMS Specialty Crops Inspection Division
- Notice to the Trade: Fee for Child Nutrition Labeling Review and Approvals AMS Billing Account for CN Labeling
Program Manuals
Helpful Links
- Alternate Protein Product Requirements
- Alternate Protein Product Sample Documentation
- Questions and Answers on Alternate Protein Products
- CN Labeling Regulations
- Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Tips for Submitting CN Labels
- How many copies do I need to submit?
- When can a plant do a "generic in-plant approval?"
- When does a manufacturer need to get a new CN ID Number?
- How do I request one?
- Points to Remember - For facilitating the CN label review process
- How to Complete the 7234 Form
Manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement (PFS)
* To gain full function of the templates, either right click on the web link and save the file on your computer or open the web link, save the file on your computer, and then reopen it. Please contact cnpntab@usda.gov for further assistance.
- Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements (11/28/14)
- PFS Tip Sheet - Evaluate if the Document is Acceptable
- PFS for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates *
- PFS for Documenting Vegetables with Subgroups/Fruits *
- PFS for Documenting Total Vegetables/Fruits*
- PFS for Documenting Grains - Ounce Equivalent (oz eq) *
- PFS for Documenting Grains - Grains/Breads Servings *