Plan Meals

Meal Pattern Updates Overview

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service released a final rule titled Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This rule supports the continued improvement of school meals based on current nutrition science.

The final rule goes into effect July 1, 2024, with a phased approach to changes in added sugars and sodium requirements over several school years.

USDA Meal Pattern Final Rule       USDA Timeline Meal Pattern Updates

Added Sugars Requirements

Changes to added sugars will be introduced in two phases:

• Starting School Year 2025–26:
  • Product-based sugar limits go into effect for:
  • Breakfast cereals: Less than 6g of added sugars per ounce
  • Yogurt: Less than 12g of added sugars per 6 oz
  • Flavored milk: Less than 10g of added sugars per 8 oz
• Starting School Year 2027–28:
  • A weekly limit will be added: Less than 10% of total weekly calories from added sugars for both lunch and breakfast programs.

Sodium Requirements

Sodium reductions will be phased in as follows:

• Current School Year Through School Year 2026-27:
  • Schools should continue following Sodium Target 1A for breakfast and lunch as defined in the transitional final rule while preparing to meet the updated targets
• Starting School Year 2027–28:
  • Lunch sodium limits will be reduced by 15% from current limits:
    • Grades K–5: less than 935 mg
    • Grades 6–8: less than 1,035 mg
    • Grades 9–12: less than 1,080 mg
  • Breakfast sodium limits will be reduced by 10% from current limits:
    • Grades K–5: less than 485 mg
    • Grades 6–8: less than 535 mg
    • Grades 9–12: less than 570 mg