USDA Child Nutrition Programs - Tips for Evaluating a Manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement - Checklist

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Guide for program operators on evaluating a manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement (PFS) used in USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Defines what a PFS is and when it is requested for processed products without a CN label, then provides a checklist covering letterhead, signatures, product identifiers, ingredient matching, APP handling, and how calculations support meal pattern contribution. Includes key reminders for rounding down creditable amounts and limits on crediting meat/meat alternates, plus guidance on credits for fruits and vegetables and where to find templates and tools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

USDA Child Nutrition Programs:

Tips for Evaluating a Manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement

Checklist for Evaluating a Manufacturer’s PFS

Points To Remember

Notes

# USDA Child Nutrition Programs: Tips for Evaluating a Manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement A manufacturer’s product formulation statement (PFS) is a signed certified document that provides away for a manufacturer to demonstrate how a processed product contributes toward themealpattern requirements in the Child Nutrition Programs. A PFS is typically provided for processedproducts that do not have a Child Nutrition (CN) label. Program operators may request a signedmanufacturer’s PFS when purchasing a processed product without a CN label. For additionalinformation about PFS and CN labels, see the Manufact urer Documentation webpage (https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/manufacturer-documentation). # Checklist for Evaluating a Manufacturer’s PFS Mark the box “Y” for Yes, “N” for No, or “NA” for Not Applicable to the questions provided. If “N” ischecked for any question below contact the manufacturer to request the information. | Yes | No | NA | Question | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | Isthe PFS provided on company letterhead? Isthe PFS signed? The signature may behandwritten, stamped, or electronic. | | | | | Does the PFS include the product name, product code number, and a serving/portion size? | | | | | Do the creditable ingredients* listed on the PFS match or have a similar description as theingredients listed on the product label? For example, if the PFS lists“ground beef (not morethan 20% fat),”the product label should also list“ground beef (not more than 20% fat) .” | | | | | Do the creditable ingredients* listed on the PFS match or have a similar descriptionto a food item listed in theFood Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG)(https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/fbg)? | | | | | | Does the product contain Alternate Protein Product (APP), such as soy concentrate?If yes, does the manufacturer provide supporting documentation that meets USDAAPP requirements? Specific requirements for APP products and examples ofsupporting documentation are available on the guidance page for foodmanufacturers/industry (https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/labeling/food -
manufacturersindustry) . | | | | Does the PFS demonstrate how creditable ingredients* contribute toward themeal patternrequirement(s) (i.e. , provides information to calculate crediting)? | | | | | Are the manufacturer’s calculations correct? | | *Creditable ingredients are foods/ingredients that contribute toward a meal component in Child Nutrition Programs. | Points To Remember | | --- | | • The total creditable amount should never be rounded up. The total creditable amount must | | round down to the nearest 0.25 ounce equivalent (oz eq) (e.g. , total creditable amount of 0.99 | | oz eq must round down to 0.75 oz eq) . | | • For food products that contribute toward themeats/meat alternates (M/MA) component, the | | creditable amount of M/MA may not exceed the weight of a serving of the product (e.g. , a 2.00 | | oz. beef patty may not credit more than 2.00 oz eq M/MA) . | | • Fruits and vegetables (including purées) credit toward themeal component based on the volume | | as served. There are exceptions for tomato paste, tomato purée, dried fruits, and raw leafy | | greens in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, andthe Child and | | Adult Care Food Program. See the FBG for additional information on calculated volume. | | • A PFS may include crediting information for more than one meal component. For instance, a | | cheese pizza may credit toward the M/MA, grains, andthe red/orange vegetable subgroup. The | | crediting information for each meal component may be documented on the same PFS. | | Notes | PFS templates for each meal component are available on the CN Labeling and PFSGuidance forFood Manufacturers/Industry website (https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/labeling/food -manufacturersindustry) . The FBG Web Tool contains the PFSWorkbook, an interactive feature that allowsfood vendor

FAQs

What is a manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement (PFS) and when is it requested?

A PFS is a signed certified document showing how a processed product contributes toward meal pattern requirements in the Child Nutrition Programs. Program operators may request it when purchasing a processed product without a Child Nutrition (CN) label.

What items should program operators check on the PFS?

Check that the PFS is on company letterhead, is signed, includes the product name/code and serving/portion size, and that creditable ingredients match or closely resemble the product label and items in the Food Buying Guide.

How should creditable amounts be handled and what are the key crediting reminders?

The total creditable amount should never be rounded up; it must round down to the nearest 0.25 oz equivalent. For meats/meat alternates, the creditable amount cannot exceed the weight of a serving, and fruits/vegetables credit based on volume as served with noted exceptions.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine