AR Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool

The State may need to complete the Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool for Lunch and/or Breakfast for a Targeted Menu Review. Per the USDA Guidance Manual, “… the Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool requires analysis of the dietary specifications and enables the State to further examine the school’s compliance with the meal pattern requirements for SBP and NSLP. Responses to the Off-site portion of the Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool determine if the school selected is low-risk or high-risk.” The reference time period is a typical week during the current school year.

All questions answered in the Dietary Specifications Assessment during the Off-site assessment must also be validated during the On-site assessment in order to confirm the risk level and provide technical assistance or perform a nutrient analysis, as appropriate. Refer to the USDA Administrative Review Guidance Manual for additional Dietary Specifications Assessment information.

Note: The Dietary Specifications Assessment is subjective and requires application of a State’s “best judgment” (per USDA). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the same Reviewer completes the Off-site AND On-site portion of the assessment Meal Compliance Risk Assessment in order to ensure consistency in responses.

Note: The Dietary Specifications Assessment risk level is populated in question 602 of the “600 - Dietary Specifications and Nutrition Analysis” form group if Option 1 (Complete the Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool) was selected in question 601.

1. Search for and select a SFA, if necessary.

2. Select Review Tracking from the Compliance menu.

3. Select the Details link for the desired review. The Review Dashboard displays.

4. Select Detail next to the Review Forms option. The Review Forms screen displays.

5. Select Modify for the desired Site.

6. Select Modify for the Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool – Breakfast or Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool – Lunch.

7. Complete questions.

8. Select Validate.

Note: The Dietary Specifications Assessment is completed when a Site serves Lunch only or Lunch and Breakfast. The form is not completed for Breakfast-only sites.

The final risk level is determined by the system ONLY when the Lunch form is completed because the risk level is based on both Breakfast and Lunch risk points, when both meals are served. The final risk level is displayed ONLY on the Lunch form for this purpose.

Note: Once the Dietary Specifications Assessment is completed, the system will automatically determine if the site is at risk for dietary specification violations and places the targeted menu review site in one of two categories: High Risk or Low Risk.

If the site is High Risk, a nutrient analysis is required. If determined Low Risk, a nutrient analysis may not be required. In all instances, a subsequent completion of the form while On-site is required to validate the level of risk and provide the necessary assistance.

1. Search for and select a SFA, if necessary.

2. Select Review Tracking from the Compliance menu.

3. Select the Details link for the desired review. The Review Dashboard displays.

4. Select Detail next to the Review Forms option. The Review Forms screen displays.

5. Select Modify for the desired Site.

6. Select Modify for the Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool – Breakfast or Dietary Specifications Assessment Tool – Lunch.

7. In the Internal Use Only section, select the “Reviewed” or “Completed” status (as applicable for your State) from the dropdown list.

8. Enter any Internal Comments (viewable by State users only).

9. Enter any Comments to SFA (viewable by State and SFA users).

10. Select Validate.