- a) Food shall be prepared and served using the food guide pyramid provided by the United States Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition to meet the nutritional needs of the children.
- b) Food products from home-raised animals shall meet the standards of the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Public Health.
- c) Special dietary needs of children shall be met as medically prescribed.
- d) The institution shall consider nutritional needs in relationship to sex, age, religious beliefs and cultural influences.
- e) Meals shall be served under clean and sanitary conditions.
- f) Three balanced meals shall be served each day. The time span between service of one meal and the next meal shall not be greater than 14 hours (overnight).
- g) Children shall be encouraged to eat food served, but shall not be subjected to undue coercion or forced feeding.
- h) Staff members shall be present to provide supervision for children during meal times.
- i) If meals are provided to on-duty staff, they shall be substantially the same as those served children (unless a special diet due to medical needs or religious beliefs is required).
- j) Menus shall be prepared and posted one week in advance of actual service.
- k) Records of all meals actually served shall be retained for one year and shall be available for periodic review and evaluation.
(Source: Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 9976, effective July 1, 2005)