# 7 C.F.R. § 226.20 (2026): Requirements for meals > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_20 ## Section - **Citation:** 7 C.F.R. § 226.20 (2026) - **Heading:** Requirements for meals - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Title 7 CFR: Agriculture / Chapter II / Part 226 / Subpart E / § 226.20: § 226.20 Requirements for meals. ## Text ust contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce). 7 Juice must be pasteurized. Full-strength juice may only be offered to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one meal or snack, per day. 8 Must serve at least one whole grain-rich serving, across all eating occasions, per day. Grain-based desserts may not be used to meet the grains requirement. Meats/meat alternates may be offered in place of the entire grains requirement, up to 3 times per week at breakfast. One ounce equivalent of meats/meat alternates credits equal to one ounce equivalent of grains. Through September 30, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of total sugars per dry ounce. By October 1, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. Information on crediting grain items and meats/meat alternates may be found in FNS guidance. (2) Lunch and supper. Fluid milk, meats/meat alternates, vegetables, fruits, and grains are required components in the lunch and supper meals. The minimum amounts of meal components to be served at lunch and supper are as follows: Table 3 to Paragraph ( c )(2)—Child and Adult Care Food Program Lunch and Supper [Select the appropriate components for a reimbursable meal] Meal components and food items 1 Minimum quantities Ages 1-2 Ages 3-5 Ages 6-12 Ages 13-18 2 Adult participants Fluid milk 4 fluid ounces 3 6 fluid ounces 4 8 fluid ounces 5 8 fluid ounces 5 8 fluid ounces 6 . Meats/meat alternates 7 1 ounce equivalent 1 1 ⁄ 2 ounce equivalents 2 ounce equivalents 2 ounce equivalents 2 ounce equivalents. Vegetables 8 1 ⁄ 8 cup 1 ⁄ 4 cup 1 ⁄ 2 cup 1 ⁄ 2 cup 1 ⁄ 2 cup. Fruits 8 1 ⁄ 8 cup 1 ⁄ 4 cup 1 ⁄ 4 cup 1 ⁄ 4 cup 1 ⁄ 2 cup. Grains 9 1 ⁄ 2 ounce equivalent 1 ⁄ 2 ounce equivalent 1 ounce equivalent 1 ounce equivalent 2 ounce equivalents. 1 Must serve all five components for a reimbursable meal. Offer versus serve is an option for at-risk afterschool care and adult day care centers ved under this part must contribute to the development and socialization of children. Institutions and facilities must not use foods and beverages as punishments or rewards. (q) Severability. If any provision of this section is held to be invalid or unenforceable by its terms, or as applied to any person or circumstances, it shall be severable from this section and not affect the remainder thereof. In the event of such holding of invalidity or unenforceability of a provision, the meal pattern requirements covered by that provision reverts to the version that immediately preceded the invalidated provision. [81 FR 24377, Apr. 25, 2016, as amended at 81 FR 75677, Nov. 1, 2016; 83 FR 56716, Nov. 30, 2017; 84 FR 50292, Sept. 25, 2019; 85 FR 7855, Feb. 12, 2020; 85 FR 74850, Nov. 24, 2020; 86 FR 57547, Oct. 18, 2021; 87 FR 4127, Jan. 27, 2022; 87 FR 7007, Feb. 7, 2022; 89 FR 32088, Apr. 25, 2024; 91 FR 25080, May 8, 2026] ## Nearby sections - [7 C.F.R. § 226.15 (2026) § 226.15 Institution provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_15.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.16 (2026) § 226.16 Sponsoring organization provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_16.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.17 (2026) § 226.17 Child care center provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_17.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.17a (2026) § 226.17a At-risk afterschool care center provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_17a.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.18 (2026) § 226.18 Day care home provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_18.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.19 (2026) § 226.19 Outside-school-hours care center provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_19.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.19a (2026) § 226.19a Adult day care center provisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_19a.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.20 (2026) § 226.20 Requirements for meals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_20.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.21 (2026) § 226.21 Food service management companies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_21.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.22 (2026) § 226.22 Procurement standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_22.md) - [7 C.F.R. § 226.23 (2026) § 226.23 Free and reduced-price meals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_23.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T7_P226_S226_20. 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