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Child Nutrition Services
23 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0023
(207)624-6842
Fax (207)624-6841

Maine's Competitive Food Rule

CHAPTER 51

 

 

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Does Your A La Carte Product Make The Grade?

Regulations require that foods sold shall have at least one of these eight nutrients: protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium and iron, in excess of 5% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) per 100 calories.

 

Using Product Label Information From a Product

Example A: If a serving of a product has 200 calories, what is the minimum percent of one nutrient needed?

 

Process:

5% per 100 calories

5% x number of calories=min per cent needed

.05 X 200=10

10% per 200 calories

 

Answer: 10% would be the minimum amount of one nutrient needed in a 200 calorie serving.

 

Example B: If the product contains 160 calories, what is the minimum percent of one nutrient needed?

Process:

 

5% per 100 calories

.05X 1.6 =8

8% per 160 calories

 

Answer: 8% would be the minimum of one nutrient needed in a 160 calorie serving.

 

Example C: If the product contains 215 calories, what is the minimum percent of one nutrient needed?

 

Process:

 

5% per 100 calories

.05X 2.15=10.75

10.75% per 215 calories

Answer: 11% is the minimum amount of one nutrient for a 215 calorie serving because nutrients are listed only in whole numbers.

 

 

 

 

REFERENCE DAILY INTAKE (RDI) VALUES

In some cases the percent may not be available. The determination still can be made using the nutrient information.

NUTRIENT DV 5% DV

 

NUTRIENT	DAILY VALUE	5% DAILY VALUE
Protein	50g	2.5g
vitamin A	5000IU	250IU
Vitamin C	60mg	3mg
Thiamine	1.5mg	.075mg
Riboflavin	1.7mg	.085mg
Niacin	20mg	1mg
Calcium	1000mg	50mg
Iron	18mg	.9mg

 

 

Determining acceptance of a product using nutrient information.

For example we will use apple juice that contains 138 calories and one of the eight nutrients is Vitamin C with 5.9mg.

We know it takes 3mg per 100 calories to be acceptable by the chart above.

 

This is the procedure to determine if one of the eight nutrients exceeds the 5% minimum requirement per 100 calories.

 

100 calories times 5.9 equals 590 (use 100 calories since this is the measurement comparison)

 

then 590 divided by 138 (calories) equals 4.27 mg

 

Based on the chart above 4.27 exceeds the 3 mg requirement per 100 calories. Therefore, the product is acceptable.

 

 

Child Nutrition Office Memo-Thursday, November 15, 2007

Gatorade Products in Schools

 

Contact:   Walter Beesley, (207)624-6875

The Maine Department of Education, Child Nutrition Services office, has received questions involving the sale of Gatorade. The Chapter 051 rule has been reviewed for legal interpretation.

According to Chapter 051, Section 2E, Gatorade can be sold on school property with the requirement that a school board policy is in place allowing the sale of Gatorade. The district’s wellness policy should also be reviewed for compliance allowing the sale of Gatorade.

Also, please note that the American Beverage Association Guidelines for Schools are different then Chapter 051 rule.  Maine schools must comply with the Chapter 051 rule. ADA guidelines may establish different requirements for portions as well.  The local wellness policies may adapt guidelines from these sources as long as Chapter 051 is followed.

Further questions should be directed to Child Nutrition Office staff either by email at Child Nutrition Office or call (207)624-6842.

 

Maine Department of Education, Child Nutrition Services

 

 

 

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