Meal Pattern Minute: Updated Sugar Limits in Yogurt

Serving unflavored or flavored yogurt in the Child Adult Care Food Program contains a sugar limit. However, on April 24, 2024, USDA released the Finale Rule: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans which changed the CACFP sugar limit for yogurt. As a CACFP operator or sponsoring organization, you may be wondering what the new sugar limit is and the date when this regulation must be implemented by. 

 Tune in to this meal pattern as Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD discusses the update on yogurt served in the CACFP. 

Review the resources below to help you better understand the added sugar limits in yogurt. 

• Initial Implementation Memorandum: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  • CACFP: Changes product-based limits for breakfast cereals and yogurt from total sugars to added sugars, consistent with the NSLP and SBP product-based added sugars limits:
  • Yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce) (7 CFR 226.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)).
  • Note: CACFP total sugars limits remain in place until October 1, 2025, when the added sugar limits must be implemented. With State Agency approval, CACFP operators may choose to implement the added sugars limits for breakfast cereals and yogurt early.

• Is Your Yogurt CACFP Creditable? 
  • Use this one-page worksheet to ensure that your yogurt meets the added sugars requirement in the CACFP. 
• Choose Yogurt That is Lower in Added Sugars in the CACFP 
  • All yogurt served in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). There are many types of yogurt that meet this added sugars limit. It is easy to find them by using the Nutrition Facts label and following the steps found in this worksheet.
• Free Webinar: Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Added Sugars 
  • This webinar highlights the new added sugars limit for yogurt and how to identify yogurt that meets this limit. Presented by USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Add one of these recipes to your menu using the updated added sugars limit for yogurt. 

• Strawberry Yogurt Parfait
• Baked Carrot Fries with Yogurt-Sunflower Seed Butter Dip

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