Special Diets in School Nutrition Programs

Milk Substitutes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows school food authorities (SFAs) to offer two types of optional fluid milk substitutions for children who do not consume regular cow’s milk due to non-disability reasons. These include lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk and fluid milk substitutes that meet the USDA’s nutrition standards for fluid milk substitutes. Section 7 CFR 210.10(d)(2)(i) of the NSLP regulations requires that school food authorities must inform the CSDE if any schools choose to offer fluid milk substitutes for non-disability reasons.


These requirements do not apply to fluid milk substitutes for children whose disability restricts their diet. For detailed guidance on the meal modification requirements for disability reasons, refer to the CSDE's Guide to Meal Modifications in the School Nutrition Programs.


Lactose-free/reduced Milk

Lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk are fluid milk and credit the same as regular milk in the milk component for the school nutrition programs. These types of milk are processed by adding lactase enzymes to reduce or eliminate the lactose (naturally occurring milk sugar) found in regular milk. Children who cannot digest the lactose found in regular milk may be able to drink lactose-free/reduced milk. The USDA recommends these types of milk as the first choice for children with lactose intolerance.

Lactose-free/reduced milk must meet the following meal pattern requirements for each age or grade group: unflavored whole milk for age 1; unflavored low-fat or fat-free milk for ages 2-5; and low-fat or fat-free milk (either unflavored or flavored) for grades K-12. Public schools must also meet the additional state beverage requirements for milk under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) Section 10-221q.

Fluid Milk Substitutes that Meet USDA’s Nutrition Standards

Section 7 CFR 210.10(d)(2) of the NSLP regulations allows SFAs to choose to offer one or more fluid milk substitutes (plant-based beverages designed to replace cow's milk) that meet the USDA’s nutrition standards for fluid milk substitutes. Only certain brands of fluid milk substitutes meet these standards. Fluid milk substitutes in public schools must also meet the additional state beverage requirements for nondairy milk substitutes under C.G.S. Section 10-221q

Identifying Acceptable Fluid Milk Substitute Products

Before purchasing any type of fluid milk substitute, SFAs must ensure it complies with the USDA’s nutrition standards for fluid milk substitutes. List 17 of the CSDE’s List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages webpage identifies commercial products that meet the USDA’s nutrition standards for fluid milk substitutes and the requirements of the state beverage statute. If a commercial product is not included on this list,, SFAs must contact the manufacturer to obtain documentation that 1 cup provides the minimum amount of each required nutrient. 

Certain brands of soy milk and oat milk are the only currently available commercial products that meet these requirements. Almond milk, cashew milk, rice milk, some brands of soy milk, most brands of oat milk, and other nondairy milk products do not comply with the USDA’s nutrition standards and cannot be offered as fluid milk substitutes for non-disability reasons in the school nutrition programs. 

Guidance