What are regulations concerning the competitive and prohibited foods sold in schools?
The sale of food in competition with lunches and/or breakfasts served in conjunction with the National School Lunch and/or Breakfast Programs is restricted by federal and state regulations. These regulations prohibit the sale of carbonated beverages including carbonated water, water ices, chewing gum, and certain candies (hard candies, marshmallows, fondants, licorice, jellies, gums, and candy-coated popcorn) in all schools in the food service area during the regular lunch and breakfast periods. In addition, elementary schools are also prohibited from selling confections, all candies, potato chips, fruit drinks containing less than 50% fruit juice, tea, and coffee. If schools elect to sell other foods or beverages not prohibited or to sell prohibited foods outside the food service area, all revenue from the sale of these items during the meal periods must accrue to the nonprofit school lunch account. Exempted foods are those foods which manufacturers have petitioned the USDA to exempt
