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GAO-15-262R 1 (2014-12-23)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaaioa0001 and id is 1 raw text is: GAOU.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 December 23, 2014 The Honorable Tom Harkin Chairman Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions United States Senate Federal Food Service Operations: Implementation of the HHS/GSA Health and Sustainability Guidelines Dear Mr. Chairman: The General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly released the Health and Sustainability Guidelines for Federal Concessions and Vending Operations, called the HHS/GSA guidelines, in 2011.1 The guidelines are periodically updated and are based on information provided in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which encourages Americans to eat a healthful diet-one that focuses on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, promote health, and prevent disease.2 The HHS/GSA guidelines provide a framework for (1) increasing the availability of healthy food and beverage options-such as foods with lower sodium levels, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low calorie beverages-in food service operations; (2) providing consumers with information on food and beverage choices that are healthier and more sustainable; and (3) increasing the sustainability of food service operations and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, such as offering organically or locally grown products. (See enclosure I for a summary of the guidelines.) The HHS/GSA guidelines are designed to make healthy and sustainable choices more accessible and appealing, and apply to all food service concession operations and vending machines managed by GSA and HHS.3 The HHS/GSA guidelines are designed to be flexible and can apply in all seven levels of food service operations in federal facilities, which range in complexity from level one-vending machines-to level seven-cafeterias. (See enclosure I1.) Other federal agencies have also developed their own guidelines for offering healthy food and beverage options. 1The Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration, Health and Sustainability Guidelines for Federal Concessions and Vending Operations, accessed May 23, 2014, http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/pdf/guidelines-for-federal-concessions-and-vending operations.pdf. 2The DGA are jointly updated, if necessary, and published every 5 years by the Department of Agriculture and HHS. The next version of the DGA will be released in 2015. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, accessed Nov. 21, 2014, http:/www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dietaryguidelines-for-americans/PolicyDoc.pdf. 3The guidelines may also be applied at agency sponsored or co-sponsored conferences and events onsite and offsite. GAO-15-262R Federal Food Service Operations Page 1

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