ESBD_430032_1750692652747_Attachment G Child Nutrition Labels 375M1 Bakery Products.pdf

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Statewide Procurement Division

IFB No. 304T-25-375M1

Bakery Products Scheduled Deliveries

Attachment G

Child Nutrition (CN) Labels

304T-25-375M1

Attachment G - Child Nutrition (CN) Labels

Child Nutrition (CN) Label While the general label requirements apply to all products sold, theUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA),Food Nutiition Service (FNS),Child Nutiition (CN)Labeling Program works directly with commercial food processing firms and in cooperation with theFood Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and National MarineFishe1ies Service (NMFS) to approve and manageCN Labels which are designed to meet the specific labeling needs ofChild Nutrition Programs (CNPs).

ACNLabel is a product label that contains a statement that clearly identifies the crediting contribution that a product makes toward the meal pattern.

Texas Department ofAgriculhrre I Food and Nutrition Division Section 23, Food Product Labeling I May 19, 2023 I Page 8 of 24

To obtain a CN Label, the manufacturer has participated in a Quality Control plan administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) using guidelines provided by USDA FNS. CN Labels must be authorized by USDA FNS prior to use.

CN Labels are designed to provide specific crediting contribution information for meat/meat alternates. However, when meat/meat alternate products contain other components, the CN Label may also provide information related to other meal pattern food components in addition to the meat/meat alternate information.14

The CN Labeling Program is responsible for reviewing a product’s formulation to determine the crediting contribution that a single serving of a product makes toward the meal pattern.

Schools and other program operators are not required to offer products with CN Labels;

however, it is important to recognize that a CN Label guarantees that the stated crediting contribution toward meal pattern is correct when the product is prepared and served according to the directions. No other available documentation is guaranteed to meet this standard.

Label Statement The CN Label statement is an integral part of the product label and must include the following information:

• The CN logo, a distinct border around the CN statement

• A six-digit product identification number assigned by FNS, located in the upper right corner of the CN Label statement

• The statement of the product’s crediting contribution toward meal pattern requirements for components included in the product

• Statement specifying the use of the logo and CN Label statement is authorized by

FNS

• The month and year the label was approved by FNS, located in the lower right side.

CN Labels expire at the end of five years.

14 Although designed to identify crediting contributions for NSLP/SBP meal pattern, CN Labels may also provide information that may be used to demonstrate whether the food product meets the competitive food requirements.

Texas Department of Agriculture | Food and Nutrition Division Section 23, Food Product Labeling | May 19, 2023 | Page 9 of 24

Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl

Chicken, brown rice, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, onions, water, olive oil, soy sauce, spices

The CN Label may be embedded within a larger label that has the manufacturer's branding, barcodes, preparation directions, nutrient facts, and other information.

GN

000000

CN

wbel Approval Date CN

Net Wt: 18 pounds

1234 Kluck Street, Poultry, PA 12345

GN

Date of Approval, from this date

The Sample CN Label illustrates the information that is required to be included on a CN Label as well as additional information that may be included on the CN Label.

Six-digit CN Identification Number

Meal pattern contribution information

Source to Verify CN Label Authenticity

USDA provides a list of valid labels that is updated monthly on the FNS CN Labeling Program website at www.jns.usda.gov/cn/labeling-progr·am. CE should check the status of the label before using the product. This list may also provide additional information including the manufacturer's physical address and, in some cases, contact information.

Texas Department of AgriculhITe I Food aud Nub·ition Division Section 23, Food Product Labeling I May 19, 2023 I Page IO of 24 http://www.jns.usda.gov/cn/labeling-progr

Federal Inspection All CN Labeled products must be produced under an appropriate USDA or U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) federal inspection program to ensure that the label statement accurately reflects the amount of each ingredient used in the product. Federal agencies inspecting these products include the following agencies:15

• Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of

USDA

• Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of USDA

• National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC)

The Federal Inspection Labels Chart illustrates the stamps used by various federal inspectors to indicate that the product has been inspected and meets the requirements for that type of product.

l\"onmeat Pn·oducts (Egg:1, cheese,, be.ans, and peanut butt�)

CE Responsibility for Use of CN Labeling Although USDA monitors manufacturer documentation and guarantees the accuracy of information, the CE is responsible for interpreting the information presented on the label and determining if a product meets the meal pattern.

The CN Label statement tells how the labeled product can be credited or counted toward meeting the meal pattern.

A CN Label statement

• Does not assure that a product is good for children

• Does not assure that a product is acceptable to ch1Jdren.

• Does not suggest that products without CN Labels are inferior

Acceptable Forms of CN Label Documentation

CEs may use any of the following methods to retain CN Label documentation or records.

Original label removed from product package.

Photocopy of CN Label attached to or printed on the product package if the CN Label is difficult to remove or laser printed.

Photograph of CN Label attached to or printed on the product package if the CN Label is difficult to remove or laser p1i.nted.

TDA recommends the following practices for retaining CN Labeling documentation or records.

• Establish a procedure for designated food service staff to safely remove CN Labels from boxes. Only one CN Label is needed for the same CN Labeled product purchased by the CE.

15 Additional information about requesting copies of federally inspected product labels from manufacturers during tb.e bidding process can be found at wwwfns.usda.gou/cn/labeling-program.

Texas Department of AgriculhITe I Food aud Nub·itiou Division Section 23, Food Product Labeling I May 19, 2023 I Page 11 of 24

• File CN Labels in a designated binder for future reference and check CN Labels of reordered products against CN Label on file to make sure the filed label is current.

• File digital photos or electronically scanned labels with applicable SNP documentation or records that can be easily retrieved for future reference.16

16 School nutrition funds may be used to purchase a camera for food service operational needs. Most cameras can also date stamp the photo.

Texas Department of Agriculture | Food and Nutrition Division Section 23, Food Product Labeling | May 19, 2023 | Page 12 of 24

While the general label requirements apply to all products sold, theUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA),Food Nutiition Service (FNS),Child Nutiition (CN)Labeling Program works directly with commercial food processing firms and in cooperatio...