Meal Pattern Minute: FDA Exempt Infant Formulas
September 12, 2025
When it comes to feeding infants in your care, you want to make sure every bottle of infant formula meets the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements and supports the health needs of each child. But what happens when a baby needs a special formula that isn’t iron-fortified? You might have heard of FDA Exempt Infant Formulas, but are they creditable in the CACFP?
Find out with Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, as she explains when FDA Exempt Infant Formulas are creditable in the CACFP—and what documentation you’ll need to have on file. Let’s make sure every baby gets the nutrition they need, the right way!
Transcript and answer provided below.
It depends! If a medical statement signed by a State licensed health care professional or registered dietitian is provided, then yes, the FDA exempt infant formula is creditable in the CACFP. These types of formulas are for infants who have inborn errors of metabolism, low birth weight, medical or dietary problems.
Find out more by reviewing the links below.
- Feeding Infants in the CACFP: Updated Guidance
- References the USDA Memo: CACFP 06-2025, “Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the CACFP; Questions and Answers”, explaining when FDA Exempt Infant Formulas are creditable and what kind of medical documentation is required.
- Want to explore the full list of FDA Exempt Infant Formulas by manufacturer and category? Check out the official FDA resource: Exempt Infant Formulas Marketed in the United States by Manufacturer and Category.
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