Handful of California Restaurants Earn Nutrition-Based Certification

Original article at Fast Casual and QSR Web

The United States Healthful Food Council announced California’s first restaurants to achieve REAL Certification. They include: Nopa, The Plant Café Organic, Epic Roasthouse, Waterbar, Radius, Tambo, ‘wichcraft, Cool Beans, Hot Italian and Mixt Greens.

According to a news release, the Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership Certification is a national program that “helps combat diet-related disease by recognizing restaurants and foodservice operators committed to holistic nutrition and environmental stewardship.“

“Americans are consuming an increasing percentage of food prepared by others, with little to no transparency,” USHFC CEO Lawrence Williams said in the release. “REAL Certification gives consumers confidence that they are eating at establishments that understand the link between their menu offerings and their consumers’ long-term health.”

Rebecca Jean Catering and the prepared food section at Real Food Company have also achieved REAL Certification.

To achieve certification, independent registered dietitians conduct an assessment of menu offerings and overall nutrition and sustainability practices. Establishments are credited with points across a range of criteria such as the use of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy preparation methods, moderate portion sizes, unsweetened beverages, healthy children’s options and sustainable sourcing practices.