California Competitive Food Standards Compliance Calculator

BEFORE YOU BEGIN – Does this calculator apply to you? 
YES: California non-charter public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) – continue to the Project LEAN Calculator. (Non-charter schools participating in NSLP or SBP must comply with both state and federal competitive food standards.)

YES, but: The Project LEAN calculator does not account for the additional set of California regulations relating to foods and beverages sold by Student Organizations. Please refer to the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, sections 15500-15501 at https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs, in addition to using this calculator—click on Search (top right corner) then type 5 in the Title box, then type 15500 (or 15501) in the Section box.

No: California charter or private schools participating in NSLP or SBP, please click here to use the federal Smart Snacks Product Calculator (charter or private schools participating in NSLP or SBP are only required to comply with federal competitive food standards.) 

Effective January 1, 2017, there are new changes to California competitive food rules. The changes relax some of the California rules to align with the federal rules. CPL is working on making the changes. Until then, if you use the calculator and it shows:

• Your item is compliant, it is also compliant with the updated rules!
  
• Your item is not compliant, it may still be compliant—use the updated QuickReference Cards located at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/he/compfoods.asp todetermine compliance.

This calculator also contains the following changes that took effect on July 1, 2016.

• The sodium limit for Competitive Snacks (but not entrées) has decreased to = <200 milligrams per item or container.
  
• The General Nutrition Standard allowing a food that contains 10 percent of the daily value for calcium, potassium, Vitamin D, or fiber is no longer valid.

For more information regarding Competitive Foods, visit the California Department of Education’s web site, http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/he/compfoods.asp 

To send a message regarding this calculator, or if you detect any problems, please write to: [email protected].