Meal Pattern Minute Reminder

October is bringing more than just pumpkins and fall leaves, it’s bringing important updates to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern! From new limits on added sugars in breakfast cereals and yogurts to expanded authority for who can write medical statements, these changes are designed to support healthier meals for those in your care. 

This Meal Pattern Minute is provided to you as a reminder of these changes taking effect on October 1, 2025. Review the guidance and resources below to help you prepare and be successful in operating the CACFP. 

Final Rule: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans 

Two updates have a timeline for compliance of October 1, 2025, including the added sugar limits for breakfast cereals and yogurt as well as the ability for registered dietitians to write medical statements to request meal modifications on behalf of participants with disabilities. 

Added Sugars in Breakfast Cereals 

• Breakfast cereal must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. 
• Resources 
  • Identifying Added Sugar Limits in Cereals
  • USDA FNS Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars in the CACFP 
• Webinar 
  • Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars (Free)  
  • This webinar highlights the added sugars limit for breakfast cereals and how to identify cereals that meets this limit. Presented by USDA Food and Nutrition Service. 

 Added Sugars in Yogurt 

• Yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (3/4 cup). 
• Resources 
  • Is Your Yogurt CACFP Creditable? (Using the new added sugars regulation)
  • USDA FNS Choose Yogurt that is Lower in Added Sugars in the CACFP 
• Webinar 
  • Choose Yogurt That is Lower in Added Sugars (Free)  
  • This webinar will highlight the new added sugars limit for yogurt and how to identify yogurt that meets this limit. Presented by USDA Food and Nutrition Service 

 CACFP Operators Can Accept Medical Statements from All Registered Dietitians  

• Requirements to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for School and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities
• Prior to the 2024 final rule, only State licensed healthcare professionals could provide medical statements for participants with disabilities that require meal modifications. Beginning October 1, 2025, Registered Dietitians (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) will be able to provide medical statements. RDs are not required to be licensed to provide medical statements, as some states do not have licensing requirements for RDs, however RDs located in a state where licensing is required must be licensed to provide a medical statement. 

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