Smart Snacks in Schools- Part 1 USDA Professional Standards Code 1000 / 1100 Lesson Objectives Be able to recognize when the smart snacks rule applies. Have the ability to list the requirements for meeting general standards and nutrition standards. Know how to use a nutrition label to see if a food meets the nutrition standards. Understand and recognize exemptions. What is the point?? The Smart Snacks rule was created to help our students to consume healthier snack items whether it is inside the school (at a non-meal time) or outside of the school served at a school function. Knowing the Smart Snacks standards will help to ensure you and your school district are in compliance with USDA regulations. Check with your Local Education Agency for additional guidelines. Smart Snack standards Smart Snacks rule applies to food and beverages sold to students: o Outside of the school meal programs (examples: National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program) o At any time during the school day o On the school campus Includes a la carte items, vending machines, snack bars, and any other place where food and drinks are sold to students. The school day is from midnight the night before to 30 minutes after the final bell rings. The school campus is anywhere that is considered school property and the students have access to. NOTE - Technically, food that is provided and not sold (example: cupcakes in a classroom for a birthday party) is not included under the Smart Snacks rule. That can be something enforced by an individual or school/school district, at their discretion. It is common for school Wellness Policies to require nutrition labels and nutrition standards to be met. 1

General standards for Smart Snacks (one of the following must be met) Be a whole grain-rich product. Grain products must contain 50% or more whole grains by weight or have whole grains as the first ingredient. Contain one of the other major food groups (i.e. vegetable, fruit, dairy product, or protein food) as the first ingredient. Be a combination food with at least ¼ cup fruit and/or vegetable. Combination food means an item that contains two or more components representing two or more of the recommended food groups. Contain 10% of the Daily Value of one nutrient of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Nutrients include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and dietary fiber. Nutrient standards for Smart Snacks (all six must be met) Food must meet nutrient standards for: o Total Fat o Saturated Fat o Trans Fat o Sodium o Calories o Total Sugar NOTE - Accompaniments must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the item served. Examples include salad dressing on salad, butter or jelly on toast, cream cheese on bagels, and garnishes. No pre-portioning is required. An average portion should be determined. Nutrient standards Total Fat Equal to or less than 35% of total calories per item as packaged/served Exemptions: o Reduced-fat cheese and part-skim mozzarella; o Nuts, seeds, and nut/seed butters; o Dried fruit with nuts and/or seeds with no added sweeteners or fat; and o Seafood with no added fat. Total Fat Calculations- There are two acceptable methods for calculating total fat. If either method results in equal to or less than 35% (DO NOT ROUND), then the item meets the total fat standard. Method 1: Calories from fat x 100/total calories = % Method 2: Total fat (g) x 9 cal per gram x 100/total calories = % 2

Saturated Fat Less than 10% of total calories per item as packaged/served Exemptions: o Reduced-fat cheese and part-skim mozzarella; o Nuts, seeds, and nut/seed butters; and o Dried fruit with nuts and/or seeds with no added sweeteners or fat. Saturated Fat Calculation-There is one method for calculating saturated fat. DO NOT ROUND. Products up to 9.9% of calories from saturated fat meet the standard. Method: Saturated fat (g) x 9 cal per gram x 100/total calories = % Trans Fat Calculation Zero Grams of Trans fat accepted per item! NO EXCEPTIONS Sodium Snack items and side dishes as packaged/served: o Equal to or less than 230 mg sodium o Equal to or less than 200 mg sodium Entrée items that do not meet NSLP/SBP exemptions: 480 mg sodium per item as packaged/served. Entrée item means: o A combination food of meat/meat alternate and whole grain-rich food; OR o A combination food of meat/meat alternate and fruit or vegetable; OR o A meat/meat alternate served alone* Calories Snack items and side dishes: o Equal to or less than 200 calories per item as packaged/served o Entrée items that do not meet NSLP/SBP exemptions o Equal to or less than 350 calories per item as packaged/served Entrée item means: o A combination food of meat/meat alternate and whole grain-rich food; OR o A combination food of meat/meat alternate and fruit or vegetable; OR o A meat/meat alternate served alone* 3

Total Sugars Equal to or less than 35% of weight from total sugars per item as packaged/served Exemptions include: o Dried/dehydrated fruits or vegetables (with no added sweeteners); o Dried fruits with nutritive sweeteners for processing and/or palatability purposes (e.g., dried cranberries, tart cherries, and blueberries) o Exempt dried fruit with only nuts and/or seeds (with no added sweeteners or fat) Total Sugar Calculation - Sugars (g) x 100/serving size (g) = % Exemptions Fruit and Vegetable Exemption The following are exempt from all nutrient standards: Fresh, frozen, and canned fruit packed in water, 100% juice, light syrup or extra light syrup. Fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables with no added ingredients except water. Canned vegetables with small amount of sugar for processing purposes. Combinations of fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables as long as there are no other ingredients except for water. NSLP/SBP Entrée Exemption Items sold as entrees in the reimbursable school breakfast or lunch are exempt from all Smart Snacks standards for the day of service and the school day after service. Entrée item means: A combination food of meat/meat alternate and whole grain-rich food; OR A combination food of meat/meat alternate and fruit or vegetable; OR A meat/meat alternate served alone* For the NSLP/SBP entrée exemption, School Food Authorities are permitted to determine which menu item(s) are the entrée item for breakfasts and may include grain-only items. Chewing Gum Exemption Sugar-free chewing gum is also exempt from all Smart Snacks standards. 4

Paired Exemptions Items that have been designated as exempt from one or more of the nutrient requirements individually and are packaged together without any additional ingredients are called paired exemptions. These paired items are exempt from meeting all nutrient standards except for calories and sodium. Examples: Apples with sliced cheese or celery with peanut butter Wrap Up... The Smart Snack standards were created by the USDA to help students make healthier choices during non-meal school times and events. The Smart Snacks rule consists of general standards and nutrition standards. Only one of the four general standards must be met, but all six of the nutrition standards must be met. Understanding and recognizing the exemptions is important. Know that each Local Education Agency has to right to enforce stricter standards. The Smart Snacks rule is the minimum standard. The school campus is not just limited to the school itself, so including all areas students have access to is a must. Test your knowledge... 1. What is considered the school day for the Smart Snacks standards? 2. How many grams of trans fat are allowed under the nutrient standards? 3. How many methods are there when it comes to calculating total fat? 4. True or False: Sugar free chewing gum is exempt from the standards? 5. What is the calculation for total sugar? Congratulations!! You have completed the Lesson for Smart Snacks in Schools- Part 1 USDA Professional Standards Code 1000 / 1100 Please note all staff in attendance appropriately at SchoolFoodHandler.com 5