As required by the RULES GOVERNING NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STANDARDS IN ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Section 6.0, the Arkansas Child Health Advisory Committee (ACHAC) made changes on March 12, 2009, to the previously approved “Allowable Competitive Foods/Beverages and Maximum Portion Size List.” Please see revised Attachment A, SY2009-2010 Allowable Competitive Foods/Beverages - Maximum Portion Size List.
The only change to the list for the 2009-2010 school year is the addition of a caffeine restriction on “Sweetened Non-Carbonated Beverages” and “Carbonated Beverages.” The caffeine restriction for both “Sweetened Non-Carbonated” and “Carbonated” beverages is 55 mg per 12 ounce serving.
Current regulations give authority to ACHAC to make changes to the list of maximum portion size restrictions and nutrition standards each year.
For additional information, see Attachment C, Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards, Section 6.0.
No other changes have been made to state nutrition standards that affect those outlined in Attachment B, Commissioner’s Memo LS-08-044 “Approved Rules Governing Nutrition & Physical Activity Standards and BMI.” This Memo addresses a la carte standards, compliance monitoring, healthy vending options and off-campus fund raising.
IMPORTANT REFERENCES FOR NUTRITION REGULATIONS STILL IN EFFECT:
As a reminder, previously issued ADE Commissioner’s Memos FIN-06-016 and FIN-08-066 related to menu planning and maximum portion sizes are still in effect and should be reviewed and training provided for district school nutrition program compliance each year.
The Arkansas Child Health Advisory Committee will continue to evaluate portion sizes of competitive foods and beverages, and will issue further guidance by April 1, 2009, for the 2009-2010 School Year as required by the above-cited rules.