8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.515

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.515 - FOOD AND NUTRITION

A. The center must show evidence that all meals and snacks provided by the center meet current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program meal pattern guidance and requirements published by the USDA Food Nutrition Service at https://www.cacfp.org/meal-pattern-guidance/ (April 2016) and 7 C.F.R. sections 210.10 and 226.20 (July 1, 2022), herein incorporated by reference. No later editions or amendments are incorporated. These regulations are available at no cost from the USDA Food Nutrition Service at https://www.ecfr.gov. These regulations are also available for public inspection and copying at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, 710 S. Ash St., Denver, CO 80246, during regular business hours.

1. Children who are at the center for more than four (4) hours, day or evening, must be offered a meal.

B. Centers must not provide sugar sweetened beverages to children. These are beverages that have been sweetened with various forms of sugars that add calories and include, but are not limited to: soda, fruitades, fruit drinks, flavored milks, and sports and energy drinks.

C. If 100% fruit juice, which is not a sugar sweetened beverage, is offered as part of meals and/or snacks, it must be limited to no more than two (2) times per week.

D. In centers that do not regularly provide a meal, if a child brings a meal from home that does not appear to meet current USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program meal pattern requirements, the center must have foods available to offer as a supplement to that meal.

E. Meal menus must be planned at least one (1) week in advance, dated, and available to parent(s) or guardian(s). After use, menus must be filed and retained for three (3) months. Records must be available for periodic review and evaluation.

F. The size of servings must be suitable for the child's age and appetite, and sufficient time must be allowed so that meals are unhurried.

G. Children must not be given foods that are contrary to the religious or cultural beliefs of their families or that are known to cause an allergic reaction or a health hazard.

8 CCR 1402-1-2.515

46 CR 22, November 25, 2023, effective 12/15/2023

47 CR 15, August 10, 2024, effective 8/30/2024