🥗 USDA Smart Snacks in School
Smart Snack Calculator
Check if your snack or entrée meets USDA Smart Snacks in School competitive food standards for K-12 schools.
🥗 Smart Snacks Compliance Checker
Exemptions (check all that apply)
USDA Smart Snacks Standards
The USDA Smart Snacks in School standards apply to all competitive foods — foods sold to students on school campus during the school day outside of the federally reimbursable school meal programs. This includes items sold in vending machines, school stores, a la carte cafeteria lines, and school fundraisers.
| Nutrient | Snack Limit | Entrée Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ≤200 cal | ≤350 cal |
| Sodium | ≤200 mg | ≤480 mg |
| Total Fat | ≤35% of calories | ≤35% of calories |
| Saturated Fat | <10% of calories | <10% of calories |
| Trans Fat | 0g (zero) | 0g (zero) |
| Total Sugars | ≤35% of weight | ≤35% of weight |
🥗 Note: Foods meeting the “food group” exemption (fruit, vegetable, dairy, protein, or whole grain rich) automatically meet the total fat standard. They must still meet saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, calorie, and sugar limits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Several food categories are exempt from Smart Snacks standards: (1) Foods sold as part of reimbursable school meals, (2) Foods sold off school campus or after school, (3) Items sold at fundraisers that meet state exemption criteria, and (4) Foods brought from home. Items sold via USDA-approved fundraiser exemptions may also be exempt for a limited number of days per year.
A food is “grain-rich” if whole grains are the primary ingredient (first ingredient by weight) or the food provides at least 51% whole grain content. Grain-rich foods are automatically exempt from the total fat limit but must still meet all other Smart Snacks standards including calorie, sodium, saturated fat, and sugar limits.
Yes, beverages have separate Smart Snacks standards. Permitted beverages include water (no limit), unflavoured low-fat milk, flavoured and unflavoured fat-free milk, 100% fruit/vegetable juice (limited to 8oz for elementary, 12oz for MS/HS), and electrolyte beverages meeting calorie and sodium criteria for high school only. Sugary beverages are generally prohibited.