Regional School District 13

If your child is lactose intolerant and would like the district to allow your child to substitute their lunch beverage choice for an approved milk substitute, you will need to provide a note from your physician acknowledging this disability. The district does not offer milk substitutions for non-disability students or for students whose culture, religion or ethical beliefs preclude the consumption of cow’s milk.  For those students with a recognized disability who cannot consume cow’s milk, the school will omit or substitute fluid milk based on the written statement from a licensed physician. The written request from the medical authority must identify the student’s medical or other special dietary need that precludes the consumption of cow’s milk.  No other information is required.
 
 ALLOWABLE FLUID MILK SUBSTITUTES

Juice and water cannot be offered as milk substitutes for nondisabled children at any time. If a school district chooses to make milk substitutions available, they must include either low-fat (1%) or less lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk or a nondairy beverage that meets the USDA nutrition standards for milk substitutes.  Lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk (low-fat (1%) or less) and nondairy beverages are the only two options that are allowed for milk substitutions in the USDA school nutrition programs.