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All food items (new products
and/or brands of existing products) are subject to testing and evaluation
by the Department of Food and Nutrition. The following procedures must be
adhered to for product submission for testing and/or evaluation.
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Manufacturer and/or distributor
must submit materials as stated for a Paper Screen of the
product(s) to the Department of Food and Nutrition – Food Planning and
Production Test Kitchen, 7042 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33144.
Paper Screen must include:
a.
A copy of the product data sheet and food label including the
manufacturer’s code number, establishment number of the manufacturer if a
meat product.
b.
CN label number and meal pattern contribution, if applicable.
c.
Meal pattern contribution.
d.
Portion size and case size.
e.
Nutrient analysis showing total calories, total fat, saturated fat,
trans fat, carbohydrate, protein, sodium and whether the values were from
laboratory analysis or calculated from standard database.
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Upon approval, an
Appearance Screen will be requested for product review by the
Menu Committee.
a.
A full-case sample from a production line, not a
specially made sample, is to be submitted to the Department of Food and
Nutrition, Food Planning and Production Test Kitchen, 7042 West Flagler
Street, Miami, Florida 33144.
b.
Sample must have a food label imprinted on packaging and the
date/shift coding.
c.
Sample is to be marked with – (1) Vendor’s name, (2) Bid number as
applicable (3) Item number as applicable (4) Product brand name and
number(s) (5) grade/portion and case size.
d.
Stamped, self-addressed envelope for sample Appearance Screen
results.
e.
Product(s) will be screened based upon appearance in the raw and
cooked state for acceptability of shape, texture, color, smell, plate
coverage and availability of recommended preparation equipment.
f.
Appointments for sample submissions may be made by contacting Ms.
Carol Chong, Director at 786-275-0400.
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Upon approval by the Menu
Committee, full-case samples from a production line will be requested
and scheduled to be Student Taste Tested/Evaluated at
designated school sites.
a.
Full sample case(s) from a production line will be delivered to
designated testing sites. Samples are to be the same as the items
submitted for the Appearance Screen.
b.
Product(s) will be tested/evaluated as a part of regular meal
service on the same scheduled day(s) in all test sites.
c.
Food products will be rated by students as acceptable or
unacceptable using a hedonic scale.
Samples: Samples must be provided at no
cost. The Department of Food and Nutrition and/or Miami-Dade County Public
Schools will assume no cost incident thereto. |
