I’m part of an initiative in the foodservice industry to make the food supply chain easier, transparent and safer for everyone involved, beginning at the farm and ending with our customers.
The Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative (“GS1 US”) is dedicated to the adoption and implementation of standards-based, global supply-chain solutions.
Launched in late 2009 in partnership with the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) and the National Restaurant Association, we became part of a voluntary industry collaboration to adopt GS1 standards by 2015. Over seventy foodservice manufacturers, distributors and operators, including Compass Group, are members.
Instead of over 6,000 internal codes to track, we may be able to have one single code to share product information globally. Just like a barcode you see on your box of cereals at the supermarket, our industry will eventually have a similar tracking system.
Adding to the complexity is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), menu-labeling legislation signed into law January 2011—plus a growing consumer demand for more and better nutritional and allergen product information—underscores the need for a standards-based system for accurate and timely product information.
By having one standard code allotted to each particular food item, all of the players in the food supply chain can do the following better and safer.
We are proud to be a part of the GS1 initiative because it’s important to our business on so many levels:
QUALITY ASSURANCE • Better ingredient traceability, from the operator all the way back to the distributor, manufacturer, processing plants and ultimately, the farm, which is important from a food safety standpoint
PURCHASING • Drives waste out of the foodservice supply chain and simplifies the procurement of quality products across our business
CUSTOMERS • Give us the ability to insure accuracy in providing our customers with information about the menu items they purchase through easier access to nutrition information, component ingredients and eventually allergen information
Eventually, GS1 will provide easy electronic access to shared data for all supply chain partners; allow for real-time data for better inventory control and warehouse management; and more efficient handling of purchasing and other transactions.

Webtrition is a direct beneficiary of our involvement. Developed by our healthcare sector and available cross-sector, Webtrition provides accurate nutritional analysis in accordance with current legal regulations. It also reduces waste through forecasting & proper portioning. The GS1 initiative will make it easier for registered dietitians and accounts to track this information if there is one standard code for each item in the database.
Recently GS1 US celebrated their two-year anniversary. At this time, we’re at the halfway point of our goal to have 75-percent voluntary adoption of GS1 standards by 2015.
If you’re interested in this topic, visit http://www.gs1us.org/sectors/foodservice
~Deanne Brandstetter, M.B.A., R.D., C.D.N., Vice President of Nutrition & Wellness Compass Group North America