GS-46 for food service operations released

WASHINGTON — Restaurants and food service establishments can now earn Green Seal certification thanks to Green Seal's recent release of the GS-46 Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Food Services, according to a press release.

GS-46 applies to all types of food service operations, including full-service, fast-food, quick-casual, non-commercial and catering operations, and has three levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver and Gold, the release stated.

Dr. Arthur Weissman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Green Seal, said: "Green Seal has broad consumer and industry recognition. For 20 years, our standards and certification have helped green the lodging industry and a range of product industries. As a result, the Green Seal can be found at hotels, on products online and in retail stores, and on products and services used at schools, hospitals, airports, offices and government facilities. Green Seal's standard development process is American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited and are cited widely by governments, purchasers and other standards including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)."

The standard is a result of extensive research in all areas of a restaurant's environmental impact, with input from over one hundred stakeholders including industry trade groups, operators, suppliers, academia and environmental and health organizations, the release noted.

Green Seal certification also includes an on-site audit and continual monitoring, which is critical to verifying compliance against the standard and to provide patrons the assurance that real environmental improvements have been made, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.