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Get the Scoop on Added Sugars in the CACFP

Children often consume too many added sugars. Filling up on foods and drinks with added sugars like sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, and sweet snacks can make it difficult to meet their nutrition needs. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators provide foods and beverages that are lower in added sugars to make sure children get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow.

See What's Changing for Program Operators

In April 2024, the Final Rule, "Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans", was published and included certain changes impacting CACFP operations. Based on these updated nutrition standards, sugar limits for breakfast cereals and yogurt will be based on Added Sugars rather than Total Sugars. By October 1, 2025, CACFP operators are required to meet the following product-based added sugar limits: Breakfast cereals may have no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. Yogurt may have no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). CACFP operators may continue to use any State’s updated WIC list to help identify allowable breakfast cereals and yogurt that meet these updated added sugars limits.  Note: The current total sugars limits for breakfast cereals and yogurts will remain in place through September 30, 2025. However, with State agency approval, CACFP operators may choose to implement the product-based added sugars limits early.

Download Resources for Reducing Added Sugars

Prepare for the changes ahead with Team Nutrition's training worksheets, presentation slides, and webinars.

Yogurt Choose Yogurt That is Lower in Added Sugars in the CACFP Training Worksheet (PDF) Training Slide Presentation (PowerPoint) CACFP Halftime Webinar Recording Calculating the Added Sugars Limit for Yogurt in the CACFP Training Worksheet

Breakfast Cereals Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Sugar Training Worksheet (PDF) Training Slide Presentation (PowerPoint) CACFP Halftime Webinar Recording Calculating the Added Sugars Limit for Breakfast Cereals in the CACFP Training Worksheet

Share Tips with Parents Check out the Nibbles for Health Newsletter, “Developing Healthy Habits With Less Sugar”. In this edition parents will learn: How to find the amount of added sugars in a food by using the Nutrition Facts label The benefits of choosing whole fruits over fruit juice How child care is reducing added sugars Now available in print! USDA Child Nutrition Program operators can request free copies, while supplies last. Order in print.

Try a New Recipe!

Very Berry Parfaits

This simple breakfast dish sweetened to perfection with layers of low-fat vanilla yogurt, mixed berries, and granola. Get the recipe for: Children 3–5 years | Children 6–18 years

Baked Carrot Fries with Yogurt-Sunflower Seed Butter Dip

Try this fun and tasty way to snack on baby carrots. Kids will enjoy dipping them in this savory Yogurt-Sunflower Seed Butter Dip. Get the recipe for: Children 3–5 years | Children 6–18 years

Reminder: Although Added Sugars are not included in the Nutrition Information section of these recipes, it is still important to check the product labels for the yogurt and granola you use to see if they meet the product-based added sugar limits.

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