The United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is committed to promoting the nutritional welfare of all program participants, including those with special needs such as lactose intolerance, which is considerably higher among certain ethnic groups than for non-Hispanic Caucasians.  The proportion of school age children who are in groups with higher incidence of lactose intolerance has increased significantly.  As a result, FNS increasingly is concerned about the ability of these children to obtain key nutrients available in milk through Child Nutrition (CN) programs.

    FNS encourages the development of diverse strategies for accommodation of lactose intolerant children participating in CN programs.  Although lactose intolerance in children is unusual, FNS believes it is important that CN programs respond to their needs.

    The CN program regulations encourage schools to provide a selection of foods and types of milk from which children may make choices in order to encourage consumption and participation.  Local education agencies are allowed and encouraged to promote the purchase of alternative types of milk such as lactose-free milk when appropriate.  In addition, we encourage CN directors to consider lactose intolerance issues in program and nutrition education planning and staff training.  At this time, rice and soy milks are not considered alternatives to milk in reimbursable meals.  Lactaid is an acceptable product.