Crediting meals with CN Labels

What is the CN Labeling Program?

The CN Labeling Program has been in existence since early 1970s as strictly a volunteer program administered by the USDA and the US Department of Commerce (USDC). The Food and Nutrition Service reviews a manufacturer’s product formulation to determine the contribution a serving of the product makes toward meal pattern requirements and reviews the CN label statement.  Federal inspection by USDA or USDC then ensures that the product is manufactured according to the approved formulation and procedure.

 What products are eligible for CN Labels?

Commercially prepared products that contributes significantly to the meat/meat alternate component of the meal pattern requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs and are served in the main dish. Such as burritos, pizza, frozen ravioli, fish sticks and chicken nuggets.

 Can providers be credited for commercially prepared combination meals?

There are only two acceptable types of documentation that can be used towards receiving credit.

Product Analysis Sheet –It must include a statement of the amount of cooked lean meat/meat alternate, grains/breads, and/or fruit/vegetable components provided by the food per serving.  This analysis must be signed by an official of the manufacturer and not a salesperson.

Child Nutrition (CN) Label – A manufactured food product with a CN label will clearly state the meat/meat alternate and other component contributions toward the meal pattern requirements.

 How to receive credit using a CN labeled food.

• Providers must cut out the CN label from the package and attach the label to the menu.  It must be the original label.  Copies of labels cannot be accepted.
• State CN and the name of the product on the menu form anytime the product is used. 
• The amount that must be served to meet the minimum required amount for an age group is stated on the label.  That amount must be served.
• Be aware of the expiration date for the CN approval. The expiration to credit a meal using a CN label is 5 years from the date at the bottom of the label.

                                        You will need to serve 11 popcorn chicken for each 6 – 12 year old;

                                         9 popcorn chicken  for each 3 – 6 year old and

                                         6 popcorn chicken for each  1 – 3 year old

CN Label Policy

The “Crediting meals with CN Labels” will be mailed to providers at the end of May 2010.  The same information will be posted on our website.

 The “Crediting meals with CN Labels” is included in the Record keeping .  The Record keeping book is used for annual training and also the initial training to providers that are new to the program.  This states the steps the provider must adhere to in order to receive credit for CN labeled foods.

 
  Office Procedure for CN labels

  When a menu is submitted with an original CN label:

 ·         Check label for name of product

·         Check menu to see that the food item written on the menu form matches the name of the food on the label.

·         Check the expiration date on the label.  The expiration is 5 years after the date on the label.

·         On the menu, write “OK and the name of the CN product and the expiration date.

·         After the menu is read, remove the label from the menu.

·         Attach the label to an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of white paper.

·         Write the providers name and account number on the paper.

·         Put the paper with the attached label in the wall box to be input.

 The CN information will be input in the “Notes” section of our program and will show up each time the provider’s menu records are checked in.  Future menus with a CN product will be compared to the providers note section to verify that a CN label for the listed food has already had a CN label submitted and is within the expiration date.

 The CN label will be filed in the providers file.