Creditable and Non-Creditable CACFP Foods for Infants

1. Creditable and Non-Creditable CACFP Foods for Infants Welcome to the webcast training on the Child and Adult Care Food Program or (CACFP) creditable and non-creditable infant foods. All agencies participating in the CACFP must purchase and provide meals to the infants enrolled in their care. Today’s presentation will review common foods that are creditable and not creditable in the CACFP infant meal pattern for infants under 1 year of age. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend you watch the 2 related webcasts about the infant meal pattern requirements and claiming infant meals.Welcome to the webcast training on the Child and Adult Care Food Program or (CACFP) creditable and non-creditable infant foods. All agencies participating in the CACFP must purchase and provide meals to the infants enrolled in their care. Today’s presentation will review common foods that are creditable and not creditable in the CACFP infant meal pattern for infants under 1 year of age. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend you watch the 2 related webcasts about the infant meal pattern requirements and claiming infant meals.

2. Before We Begin If you would prefer to see just the PowerPoint (PP) slide in order to make the image larger, simply click inside the PP slide and the PP slide will take up the entire computer screen. You may need to scroll down to see the bottom of the screen. When you want to go back to the standard set-up you can click on the “close” box on the upper right corner of the slide. 2 Throughout the webcast, I will be showing examples of specific forms. If you would prefer to see just the PowerPoint (PP) slide in order to make the image larger, simply click inside the PP slide and the PP slide will take up the entire computer screen. When in this view, you may need to scroll down to see the bottom of the screen. When you want to go back to the standard set-up you can click on the “close” box on the upper right corner of the slide. Throughout the webcast, I will be showing examples of specific forms. If you would prefer to see just the PowerPoint (PP) slide in order to make the image larger, simply click inside the PP slide and the PP slide will take up the entire computer screen. When in this view, you may need to scroll down to see the bottom of the screen. When you want to go back to the standard set-up you can click on the “close” box on the upper right corner of the slide.

3. Proceed with Caution... 3 The next few slides will discuss some infant foods that should either not be served to infants, served in moderation or prepared in safe ways.The next few slides will discuss some infant foods that should either not be served to infants, served in moderation or prepared in safe ways.

4. Iron Fortified Infant Cereal Not creditable: Cereal in jars Iron-fortified dry infant cereals containing fruit Regular adult breakfast cereals (hot or cold). Oatmeal Cheerios 4 The following cereals are not creditable and meals including these foods cannot be reimbursed (even if the parent brings in these foods): Cereal in jars, sometimes called “wet” infant cereals, are not creditable. Iron-fortified dry infant cereals containing fruit are not creditable because it is difficult to determine the amount of cereal and fruit in a serving. Cereals designed for older children and adults are not recommended for babies because: They often contain mixed grains, are often higher in salt and sugar than infant cereals, may contain vitamins and minerals in forms or amounts that are not suitable for babies, and may contain small hard pieces of food that could cause choking. Adult cereals like oatmeal and Cheerios are not creditable for infants under 1 year of age. The following cereals are not creditable and meals including these foods cannot be reimbursed (even if the parent brings in these foods): Cereal in jars, sometimes called “wet” infant cereals, are not creditable. Iron-fortified dry infant cereals containing fruit are not creditable because it is difficult to determine the amount of cereal and fruit in a serving. Cereals designed for older children and adults are not recommended for babies because: They often contain mixed grains, are often higher in salt and sugar than infant cereals, may contain vitamins and minerals in forms or amounts that are not suitable for babies, and may contain small hard pieces of food that could cause choking. Adult cereals like oatmeal and Cheerios are not creditable for infants under 1 year of age.

5. Commercially-Prepared Vegetables and Fruits Must list vegetable or fruit as first ingredient Plain vegetables and fruits are preferred 5 In order to be creditable, a commercially prepared fruit or vegetable must list a fruit or vegetable as the first ingredient on the label and must only contain fruits or vegetables. Combination baby-food dinners are not creditable, because it is difficult to determine the amount of fruit or vegetable and other meal component in a serving. Plain vegetables and fruits are best because they contain more nutrients and do not usually contain sweeteners and salt.In order to be creditable, a commercially prepared fruit or vegetable must list a fruit or vegetable as the first ingredient on the label and must only contain fruits or vegetables. Combination baby-food dinners are not creditable, because it is difficult to determine the amount of fruit or vegetable and other meal component in a serving. Plain vegetables and fruits are best because they contain more nutrients and do not usually contain sweeteners and salt.

6. Commercially-Prepared Vegetables and Fruits Not creditable as a fruit or vegetable: Cereals, desserts, puddings listing fruit as the first ingredient Fruit or vegetable listing water as the first ingredient 6 Cereals, baby-food desserts and puddings are not creditable as fruits or vegetables, even though a fruit may be listed as the first ingredient. Any commercial fruit or vegetable that lists water as the first ingredient is also not creditable.Cereals, baby-food desserts and puddings are not creditable as fruits or vegetables, even though a fruit may be listed as the first ingredient. Any commercial fruit or vegetable that lists water as the first ingredient is also not creditable.

7. Meat and Meat Alternates Not creditable for infants: Peanut butter and nuts Shell fish Hot dogs Yogurt 7 The foods on this slide should not be fed to infants and are not reimbursable under the CACFP. Peanuts, nuts and peanut butter are likely to cause an allergic reaction or choking in infants and are not reimbursable for infant meals for CACFP. Shellfish may contain higher levels of mercury or cause severe allergic reactions. Processed meats like hot dogs are higher in fat and lower in protein than plain meats. They may also cause choking And yogurt is not creditable for infants; however, yogurt may be served to older infants over 8 months old as an additional food if a parent requests that it be served.The foods on this slide should not be fed to infants and are not reimbursable under the CACFP. Peanuts, nuts and peanut butter are likely to cause an allergic reaction or choking in infants and are not reimbursable for infant meals for CACFP. Shellfish may contain higher levels of mercury or cause severe allergic reactions. Processed meats like hot dogs are higher in fat and lower in protein than plain meats. They may also cause choking And yogurt is not creditable for infants; however, yogurt may be served to older infants over 8 months old as an additional food if a parent requests that it be served.

8. Meat and Meat Alternates Not creditable for infants: Fish Sticks “Baby Food” meat sticks Home canned meats Commercial baby food combination dinners (i.e. chicken and vegetables or ham and potatoes) 8 Here are additional foods that should not be fed to infants and are not reimbursable under the CACFP. Fish sticks may contain bones. Baby food meat sticks are meant for children over 1 year old. Home canned meats may contain harmful bacteria. In commercially prepared baby food combination dinners such as chicken and vegetables or ham and potatoes, the amount of meat, fruits, vegetables, or bread/grain cannot be determined. For center-prepared meals, after measuring the appropriate amount of each item, plain meats may be mixed with vegetables, and you may count it as a meat and vegetable.Here are additional foods that should not be fed to infants and are not reimbursable under the CACFP. Fish sticks may contain bones. Baby food meat sticks are meant for children over 1 year old. Home canned meats may contain harmful bacteria. In commercially prepared baby food combination dinners such as chicken and vegetables or ham and potatoes, the amount of meat, fruits, vegetables, or bread/grain cannot be determined. For center-prepared meals, after measuring the appropriate amount of each item, plain meats may be mixed with vegetables, and you may count it as a meat and vegetable.

9. Reminder Remember that non-creditable foods may not be counted as a component in the infant meal pattern – even if the parent brings in the food item. Example: At lunch, an 11-month old child receives formula and applesauce provided by the center. The parent brings in a store-bought jar of ham & potatoes for the child. This lunch is not reimbursable because the parent brought in a non-creditable component. 9 Remember that non-creditable foods may not be counted as a component in the infant meal pattern – even if the parent brings in the food item. For example, at lunch, an 11-month old child receives formula and applesauce provided by the center. The parent brings in a store-bought jar of ham & potatoes for the child. This lunch is not reimbursable because the parent brought in a non-creditable component. The meal must meet the infant meal pattern requirements in order to be claimed for reimbursement. Remember that non-creditable foods may not be counted as a component in the infant meal pattern – even if the parent brings in the food item. For example, at lunch, an 11-month old child receives formula and applesauce provided by the center. The parent brings in a store-bought jar of ham & potatoes for the child. This lunch is not reimbursable because the parent brought in a non-creditable component. The meal must meet the infant meal pattern requirements in order to be claimed for reimbursement.

10. Non-creditable Foods for Infants under 12 months Combination dinners/foods, commercial baby food Fish sticks Meat sticks (finger sticks) and hot dogs Egg whites Baby food desserts Low-iron formula Yogurt Vegetable Juice Adult Cereals (Cheerios, Oatmeal) 10 Now let’s discuss some common creditable and non-creditable infant foods: The following items are not creditable on the CACFP infant meal pattern and may only be served as extras. They cannot count as a meal component. Please note that this list is not all-inclusive. As previously mentioned, store-bought combination dinners or baby foods, fish sticks, hot dogs and meat sticks are not creditable. Egg whites should not be served to infants less than one year of age because they may cause allergic reactions. Baby food desserts may be high in sugar and/or fat and often contain less of the key nutrients needed by infants. Low-iron infant formulas contain less than 1 mg of iron per 100 calories of formula. Infants need to receive an adequate amount of iron in the first year to maintain health. Low-iron formula may only be served to an infant with a medical statement on file – even if the parent chooses to bring in the formula. Yogurt is not a creditable component on the infant meal pattern for infants under 1 year of age, but it may be served as an additional food if a parent requests that it be served to their 8-11 month old. Vegetable juice is not a creditable component. Only 100% fruit juices are creditable toward the infant meal pattern requirement for snack for 8-11 month olds. Adult cereals, including oatmeal and Cheerios are not creditable. Iron and other nutrients in “adult” cereals are provided to meet the needs of older children and adults rather than infants. Also, raisins and nuts in “adult” cereals may cause choking.Now let’s discuss some common creditable and non-creditable infant foods: The following items are not creditable on the CACFP infant meal pattern and may only be served as extras. They cannot count as a meal component. Please note that this list is not all-inclusive. As previously mentioned, store-bought combination dinners or baby foods, fish sticks, hot dogs and meat sticks are not creditable. Egg whites should not be served to infants less than one year of age because they may cause allergic reactions. Baby food desserts may be high in sugar and/or fat and often contain less of the key nutrients needed by infants. Low-iron infant formulas contain less than 1 mg of iron per 100 calories of formula. Infants need to receive an adequate amount of iron in the first year to maintain health. Low-iron formula may only be served to an infant with a medical statement on file – even if the parent chooses to bring in the formula. Yogurt is not a creditable component on the infant meal pattern for infants under 1 year of age, but it may be served as an additional food if a parent requests that it be served to their 8-11 month old. Vegetable juice is not a creditable component. Only 100% fruit juices are creditable toward the infant meal pattern requirement for snack for 8-11 month olds. Adult cereals, including oatmeal and Cheerios are not creditable. Iron and other nutrients in “adult” cereals are provided to meet the needs of older children and adults rather than infants. Also, raisins and nuts in “adult” cereals may cause choking.

11. Creditable Foods for Infants under 12 months Egg Yolks (not egg whites) Follow-up Formula Soy-based formulas Legumes (dry or canned beans and peas) And others 11 Following are a few common food items that have raised questions about whether they are creditable or not. They ARE creditable on the CACFP infant meal pattern and may be served as a reimbursable component. Remember, this is not an all-inclusive list. Egg yolk may be claimed when served at lunch or supper to 8-11 month old infants. Commercial baby food egg yolk or properly cooked and prepared (pureed or mashed) egg yolk may be served. Follow-up formulas are designed for older infants consuming solid foods and are creditable when served to infants 6 months of age or older. They are not creditable when served to infants less than 6 months of age, except when served as substitutions supported by a medical statement. Only iron-fortified formula (including soy-based formulas) may be served. Legumes are creditable at lunch or supper for infants 8-11 months. Dried or canned legumes should be prepared to the appropriate texture for infants (either mashed or pureed). Whole cooked legumes may cause choking in infants. Following are a few common food items that have raised questions about whether they are creditable or not. They ARE creditable on the CACFP infant meal pattern and may be served as a reimbursable component. Remember, this is not an all-inclusive list. Egg yolk may be claimed when served at lunch or supper to 8-11 month old infants. Commercial baby food egg yolk or properly cooked and prepared (pureed or mashed) egg yolk may be served. Follow-up formulas are designed for older infants consuming solid foods and are creditable when served to infants 6 months of age or older. They are not creditable when served to infants less than 6 months of age, except when served as substitutions supported by a medical statement. Only iron-fortified formula (including soy-based formulas) may be served. Legumes are creditable at lunch or supper for infants 8-11 months. Dried or canned legumes should be prepared to the appropriate texture for infants (either mashed or pureed). Whole cooked legumes may cause choking in infants.

12. Questions??? Feel free to contact DPI at 608-267-9129 OR Contact your assigned Consultant A Directory is posted at: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/directory.html Scroll down to view the Community Nutrition Team Answer Poll Question (% Polls) 12 If you have any questions, feel free to contact DPI at the number listed on this slide or contact your assigned Consultant. If you do not have your Consultant’s number, the directory for our team is located on this website. Scroll down to view the Community Nutrition Team’s Directory To help us improve future webcasts, please consider taking the available poll. It is located on the top left corner of the screen, above the “play” button and titled % Polls. You may click on this button to answer the poll we have available. After you answer the question you can see how others answered the questions by clicking on View Results. If you have any questions, feel free to contact DPI at the number listed on this slide or contact your assigned Consultant. If you do not have your Consultant’s number, the directory for our team is located on this website. Scroll down to view the Community Nutrition Team’s Directory To help us improve future webcasts, please consider taking the available poll. It is located on the top left corner of the screen, above the “play” button and titled % Polls. You may click on this button to answer the poll we have available. After you answer the question you can see how others answered the questions by clicking on View Results.

13. Training Opportunities New to your role in the CACFP? Desire a refresher as regulations change? Consider participating in a CACFP training session: www.dpi.wi.gov/fns Click on “Training” to review and register for a CACFP class If one is not available at this time, keep an eye out for future training opportunities We also mail out training brochures throughout the year and include upcoming training reminders in the CACFP quarterly Newsletter 13 Are you new to your role in the CACFP or just desire a refresher as regulations change? Consider participating in a CACFP training session. Go to the website listed on this slide and click on “Training” to review and register for a CACFP class If one is not available at this time, keep an eye out for future training opportunities. We also mail out training brochures throughout the year and include upcoming training reminders in the CACFP quarterly Newsletter. Are you new to your role in the CACFP or just desire a refresher as regulations change? Consider participating in a CACFP training session. Go to the website listed on this slide and click on “Training” to review and register for a CACFP class If one is not available at this time, keep an eye out for future training opportunities. We also mail out training brochures throughout the year and include upcoming training reminders in the CACFP quarterly Newsletter.

14. 14 Thank you very much for watching this webcast on creditable and non-creditable foods for infants. Be sure to watch the 2 related infant webcasts on the infant meal pattern and on how to claim infant meals for reimbursement. You may also check out any of the other webcasts about the CACFP. Thank you! Thank you very much for watching this webcast on creditable and non-creditable foods for infants. Be sure to watch the 2 related infant webcasts on the infant meal pattern and on how to claim infant meals for reimbursement. You may also check out any of the other webcasts about the CACFP. Thank you!