With recent attention to diseases such as obesity and diabetes it is now more important than ever that we, as administrators and teachers, guide students in their food choices. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that we choose a diet moderate in sugars, low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and with plenty of grain products, vegetables, and fruits. The Food Guide Pyramid suggests that we eat fats, oils and sweets “sparingly.” Foods that compete with more healthful choices should not be made available to students, especially during meal times when well balanced nutritious meals are available. Students should not be given an opportunity to select foods that are less nutritious. These foods are known as Competitive Foods.
Competitive foods are any foods sold in competition with meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Competitive foods can be non-restricted and restricted.
Restricted Competitive Foods also known as “Foods of minimal nutritional value”, can not be sold in the food service area during meals where a reimbursable meal is sold or eaten. Restricted Competitive Foods may be sold on other parts of the school campus through the day, just not during meal times. The Arizona Department of Education recommends that all schools only sell healthy foods to students during the school day and throughout the entire school campus.
The following are examples of restricted competitive foods. The USDA deemed that these foods do not have a place on campuses during meal times. This is the Restricted Food List that USDA mandates that schools must MONITOR. The following list put together by the Arizona Department of Education includes “brand” name items; and was put together to assist sponsors in removing these products from their schools. The listed products are in no way meant to be all inclusive or definitive but rather as an example to provide guidance when making determinations on new products or products not specifically listed.
- SODA WATER
As defined by 21CFR 165.175 Food and Drug Administration Regulations, (class of beverages made by absorbing carbon dioxide in potable water, etc.) except no product shall be excluded form this definition because it contains artificial sweeteners or discrete nutrients added to the food such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins. - WATER ICES
As defined by 21CFR 135.160 Food and Drug Administration Regulations, except that water ices which contain fruit or fruit juices are not included in this definition. - Chewing Gum
Flavored products from natural or synthetic gums and other ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing. - Certain Candies: Processed foods made predominantly from sweeteners or artificial sweeteners with a variety of minor ingredients that characterize the following types:
Listing of Products NOT considered FMNV
Arizona Department of Education Memorandums on Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value
| CN 14-01 | POLICY UPDATE -Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value |
| CN 11-03 | POLICY UPDATE – Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value |
| CN 13-03 | Policy Clarifications |
| CN 34-05 | New Foods No Longer Considered “Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value” |
| CN 23-06 | New Foods No Longer Considered “Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value” |
| CN 14-07 | Recent Changes to the FMNV List |
| CN 17-07 | New Foods and Beverages Not Considered Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value |
| CN 17-08 | Attachment – Exemptions Under the CFSR |
| CN 25-07 | New Foods No Longer Considered Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value |
| CN 12-10 | New Foods and Beverages Not Considered Foods of Minimal Nutrition Value |
More Information on Nutrition and Wellness Policies
