Meal Pattern Minute: Ultrafiltered Milk

For many Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators, choosing creditable milk can feel straightforward until a product like ultrafiltered milk enters the conversation. With products marketed as “high protein,” “lactose-free,” or “ultrafiltered,” it’s important to know exactly when these beverages can credit toward the fluid milk component. Understanding the rules helps ensure that meals stay both nutritious and compliant. 

Tune in to this Meal Pattern Minute as Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, explains what you need to look for before serving ultrafiltered milk in your program. 

Transcript: The answer is that it depends. Ultrafiltered milk does not meet the FDA standard of identity for milk, which means it cannot automatically be credited in the CACFP as fluid milk. Because it does not meet this standard, you would need to check the Nutrition Facts label on the ultrafiltered milk to see if it is nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk in order to credit in the CACFP and must be accompanied with a parent note. 

Below are resources to help you understand more on crediting fluid milk: 

• USDA FNS Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk and Substitutions in the CACFP, Questions and Answers 
  • USDA Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program 
    Your go‑to reference for understanding creditable foods, including milk and milk substitutes. 
• USDA Crediting Fluid Milk in the CACFP Tip Sheet 
  • The document provides a concise tip sheet explaining how fluid milk can be properly credited as a required meal component in Child Nutrition Programs including CACFP. 
  • Meal Pattern Minute Archive 
    Find answers to your meal pattern questions in quick, digestible videos. 
• Webinars 
  • Serving Milk in the CACFP (Free) 
    • This webinar walks the audience through Team Nutrition's “Serving Milk in the CACFP" training worksheet and lets audience select milk for various age groups to meet meal pattern requirements. 
  • Milk in the CACFP ($) 
    • Milk is a star player in the CACFP meal pattern. It is required at breakfast, lunch and supper, and may even make a guest appearance at snack. This nutrient-rich beverage provides essential nutrients that support healthy growth and development in children.  

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