(a) Commencing January 1, 2012, except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), a licensed child day care facility shall comply with all of the following requirements for beverages served by the day care provider to children in the provider’s care:

(1) Whenever milk is served, serve only lowfat (1 percent) milk or nonfat milk to children two years of age or older.

Terms Used In California Health and Safety Code 1596.808

  • department: means State Department of Health Services. See California Health and Safety Code 20
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.

(2) Limit juice to not more than one serving per day of 100-percent juice.

(3) Serve no beverages with added sweeteners, either natural or artificial. “Beverages with added sweeteners” does not include infant formula or complete balanced nutritional products designed for children.

(4) Make clean and safe drinking water readily available and accessible for consumption throughout the day.

(b) If a child has a medical necessity documented by a physician that includes the need for “medical food” as defined by § 109971 of the Health and Safety Code, a licensed child day care facility shall be exempt from complying with the requirements of subdivision (a), to the extent necessary to meet the medical needs of that child.

(c) This section shall not apply to beverages at a licensed child day care facility that are provided by a parent or legal guardian for his or her child.

(d) As the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published jointly by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and the federal Department of Agriculture, are updated every five years, the department may adapt the provisions of this section by bulletin, as necessary, so that the standards continue to reflect the most recent relevant nutrition science and continue to improve the health of children in child care.

(e) The department shall only determine compliance with this section during a regularly scheduled, authorized inspection, and shall not be required to conduct separate and independent visits.

(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 593, Sec. 2. (AB 2084) Effective January 1, 2011.)