Provision of Multiple Meals to Students Relative to Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety Foods (TCS)

School Nutrition Administrators:

Thank you for sharing your questions on the webinar today regarding the provision of multiple meals to students relative to Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety Foods (TCS).  We heard your concerns and consulted with the State Environmental Health Division, to ensure consistency in messaging between agencies.

The State Environmental Health Division provided confirmation that your responsibility for Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) ends once the food leaves your possession.  TCS foods, including milk, may be provided to students for meals intended to be consumed on future dates.  For example, should you choose to serve a lunch meal and at the same time, provide a breakfast meal for the next day, you may include a milk (or other TCS foods) as a part of the breakfast meal.

Please continue to work with your local Environmental Health Specialists to discuss strategies to keep foods safe as we consider the many possible options for providing meals to students in non-congregate settings.  Thank you for considering best practices for food safety when planning menus for multiple meals sent home to students.

We appreciate ALL of the AMAZING WAYS in which you are nourishing students' bodies, minds and souls!  Thank you for your commitment and service to the students of North Carolina.

Have questions?  Need assistance?

Please contact Jennifer Bailey at jennifer.bailey@dpi.nc.gov