Section 400.8330. Food services and nutrition generally.

(1) Snacks and meals shall be provided by the center, except when 1 of the following circumstances occurs:

(a)   A majority of the children are in attendance less than 2.5 hours.

(b)   Food is provided by a parent.

(2)   A written agreement shall be kept on file at the center if the parent has agreed to provide formula, milk, or food. The center shall provide an adequate amount of formula, milk, or food if the parent does not.

(3)    Beverages and food shall be appropriate for the child’s individual nutritional requirements, developmental stages, and special dietary needs, including cultural preferences.

(4)   A center shall ensure a child with special dietary needs is provided with snacks and meals in accordance with the child’s needs and with the instructions of the child’s parent or licensed health care provider.

(5)   A center shall provide adequate staff so that food service activities do not detract from direct care and supervision of children.

(6)   A center shall make water available to drink throughout the day to children 1 year of age and older.

(7)   Infants and toddlers shall be fed on demand.

(8)    A child shall be served meals and snacks in accordance with the following schedule:

(a)  Two and a half hours to 4 hours of operation: a minimum of 1 snack.

(b)   Four hours to 6 hours of operation: a minimum of 1 meal and 1 snack.

(c)   Seven hours to 10 hours of operation: a minimum of 1 meal and 2 snacks or 2 meals and 1 snack.

(d)  Eleven hours or more of operation: a minimum of 2 meals and 2 snacks.

(9)   A center shall not deprive a child of a snack or meal if the child is in attendance at the time when the snack or meal is served.

(10)    Menus shall be planned in advance, shall be dated, and shall be posted in a place visible to parents. Food substitutions shall be noted on the menus the day the substitution occurs.

(11)   A center shall not serve infants and toddlers or allow them to eat foods that may easily cause choking including, but not limited to, popcorn, seeds, nuts, hard candy and uncut round foods such as whole grapes and hot dogs.

(12)    Cereal shall not be added to a bottle or beverage container without written parental permission.

(13)   If food, bottles, or beverage containers are warmed, then the warming shall be done in a safe, appropriate manner.

(14)   Warming bottles and beverage containers in a microwave oven is prohibited.

(15)    Warmed food, bottles, and beverage containers shall be shaken or stirred to distribute the heat, and the temperature shall be tested before feeding.

(16)   The contents of a bottle or beverage container shall be discarded if any of the following apply:

(a)  The contents appear to be unsanitary.

(b)    The bottle or beverage container has been used for feeding for a period that exceeds 1 hour from the beginning of the feeding.

(c)   The bottle or beverage container requiring refrigeration has been unrefrigerated for 1 hour or more.

(17)   Formula and milk, including breast milk, left in a bottle or beverage container after a feeding shall not be reused.

(18)   Bottle propping is prohibited.

(19)    When feeding, caregivers shall hold infants except when infants resist being held and are able to hold their bottle.

(20)     Infants  or  toddlers   shall  not  have  bottles,  beverage   containers,  or  food   in sleeping equipment.

(21)    Children shall not have beverage containers or food while they are walking around or playing.

(22)    Staff shall foster and facilitate toddlers’ independence, language, and social interactions by doing all of the following:

(a)   Encouraging self-feeding.

(b)   Serving appropriate portion sizes.

(c)   Sitting and eating with toddlers during meal times.

(23)   Breastfeeding shall be supported and accommodated.

(24)   A designated place shall be set aside for mothers who are breastfeeding to use.

History: 2013 AACS.