(Revised MS Access version posted May 3, 2016)
The Child Nutrition Database (CN-D) is required to be part of the nutrient analysis software approved by USDA for use in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Data is collected on the following 16 nutrients: calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, ash, sugars, and moisture.
USDA Child Nutrition (CN) Database Online Web Tool for Submitting Nutrient Data
The online tool is open to collect data for the Child Nutrition Database, Release 21 (CN21). Any data entered after December 5, 2015 will be incorporated into CN21. The tool will no longer be closed in the transition period between releases, but will remain open for data entry.
Food Manufacturers: Click here to add nutrient data to the CN Database for foods sold in the school market. You now need a Level 2 USDA eAuthentication account to access the Online Web Tool for Submitting Nutrient Data. You will find more information about how to obtain your Level 2 eAuthentication account when you click on the link provided here.
Comments and Notes for CN20 ReleaseCN20 Release: A record with a date after 01/18/2015 in the “date_added” field is a new record in the CN20 release. A record with a date after 01/18/2015 in the “last_modified” field and different from the date in the “date_added” field contains a revised value in one or more of its fields with the CN20 release.
7764 food item (FDES) records, 7749 weights (WGHT) records, and 124286 nutrient value (NUTVAL) records marked “d” in CN19 were removed from CN20.
1016 new source code 1 food items have been added to CN20 from SR28.
All modified data from SR28, including food descriptions, weights, and nutrient values has been applied to CN20.
The nutrient data for food items corresponding to the USDA Recipes for Schools (source code 2 data) have been marked “d” in CN20 in anticipation of the release of the newly updated recipes throughout 2016. The data for the food items corresponding to the Recipes for Healthy Kids recipe set is still marked “a”. Nutrient and measure data for the new recipes will be provided in CN21 when the “d” data for the USDA Recipes for Schools is removed.
443 new source code 3 (food industry) food items from eight food companies have been added to CN20.
Minor edits were made to the source code 4 data.
System Components and File Formats (documentation)
(MS Word) (plain text)
Child Nutrition Database in Access Format (Revised MS Access version posted May 3, 2016)
Access Database
(right click and choose “Save Target As” or “Save Link As”)
This file includes all the components listed below under the Comma Delimited Format
Child Nutrition Database in Plain Text Format
- Food Description File (Revised version posted 5/3/16)
- Food Category Name File
- Weight File (Revised version posted 5/3/16)
- Nutrient Values File
- Nutrient Description File
- Food Buying Guide File
- Food Buying Guide Link File
Please submit any issues or concerns regarding the Child Nutrition (CN) Database to:
| Child Nutrition Database Nutrition and Technical Assistance Branch Child Nutrition Programs Food and Nutrition Service, USDA 3101 Park Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22302 Contact via E-Mail (link sends e-mail) |