Product Formulation Statements

A product formulation statement (PFS) is a document developed by manufacturers that provides specific information about how a commercial processed product credits toward the USDA’s meal patterns for the Child Nutrition Programs. PFS forms generally include a detailed explanation of what the product contains and indicate the amount of each ingredient in the product by weight. Unlike Child Nutrition (CN) labels, the USDA does not review, approve, or monitor PFS forms.

The USDA requires a PFS for all commercial processed products without a CN label that are not listed in the USDA’s Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs. Sponsors of the Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) are responsible for verifying that the calculations and meal pattern contribution statement on a manufacturer’s PFS are accurate. Prior to purchasing, serving, and claiming the product in reimbursable meals and snacks, CNP sponsors must review the PFS to ensure it includes each required element and that the crediting calculations are correct. If any information is missing or incorrect, the CNP sponsor must request a revised PFS from the manufacturer, with supporting documentation if needed.

The resources below provide PFS guidance and the USDA's PFS forms for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), school nutrition programs, and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The PFS forms are different due to the different meal pattern requirements for each program. 

General Guidance and Training Resources for all CNPs
PFS for CACFP  |   PFS for School Nutrition Programs
PFS for SFSP  |   USDA's Sample Completed PFS for Multiple Component Foods

General Guidance and Training Resources for all CNPs

• CN Labeling and PFS Guidance for Food Manufacturers/Industry (USDA webpage)
• Tips for Evaluating a Manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement (USDA)
• USDA Memo SP 05-2025, CACFP 04-2025, and SFSP 02-2025: Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements
• Training Resources 
  
  • FBG Module 3: Product Formulation Statement (PFS) (ICN): Addresses CN labels and PFS
    • Manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement: Is it Acceptable? (Institute of Child Nutrition and USDA)
  • Slides for Manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement: Is it Acceptable? (Institute of Child Nutrition and USDA)
  • Module 8: Meal Pattern Documentation for Crediting Commercial Processed Products (CSDE's What’s in a Meal: Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 in the School Nutrition Programs)

PFS Forms and Guidance for CACFP

• Overview: Using Product Formulation Statements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CSDE)
• CSDE Guide: Guide to Menu Documentation for the CACFP 
• When Commercial Grain Products Require a Product Formulation Statement to Credit in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CSDE)
• USDA PFS Forms
  • Grains: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Grains Ounce Equivalents in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Grains Ounce Equivalents in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
  • Meats/Meat Alternates: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA) in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA) in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
  • Vegetables/Fruits: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Vegetables and Fruits in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and NSLP Afterschool Snacks (USDA)

PFS Forms and Guidance for School Nutrition Programs

• Overview: Using Product Formulation Statements in the School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
• CSDE Guide: Guide to Menu Documentation for the School Nutrition Programs 
• When Commercial Grain Products Require a Product Formulation Statement to Credit in the School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
• USDA PFS Forms
  • Grains: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Grains Ounce Equivalents in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Grains Ounce Equivalents in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
  • Meats/Meat Alternates: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA) in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA) in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
  • Vegetables and Fruits for School Meals: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Vegetables and Fruits in School Meal Programs (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS:  Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Vegetables and Fruits in School Meal Programs (USDA)
  • Vegetables/Fruits for the ASP: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Vegetables and Fruits in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and NSLP Afterschool Snacks (USDA)

PFS Guidance for SFSP

• Overview: Using Product Formulation Statements in the Summer Food Service Program (CSDE)
• When Commercial Grain Products Require a Product Formulation Statement to Credit in the Summer Food Service Program (CSDE)
• Summer Meals Annual Training Module: Crediting Documentation for Summer Meals (CSDE)
• USDA PFS Forms
  • Grains/Breads: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Grains/Breads Servings in the Summer Food Service Program (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Grains/Breads Servings in the Summer Food Service Program (USDA)
  • Meats/Meat Alternates: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA) in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
    • Completed Sample PFS: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA) in Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
  • Vegetables/Fruits: Product Formulation Statement for Documenting Vegetables and Fruits in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and NSLP Afterschool Snacks (USDA)

USDA's Sample Completed PFS for Multiple Component Foods 

The USDA 's sample completed PFS forms below provide examples for combination foods that contribute to more than one meal component.

• Sample PFS for breakfast sandwich (grains and MMA)
• Sample PFS for chili (MMA and vegetable subgroups with beans, peas, lentils as vegetable)
• Sample PFS for chili (MMA and vegetable subgroups with beans, peas, lentils as MMA)
• Sample PFS for berry smoothie (MMA and fruit)