The GAO said kitchens and dining facilities were not following the guidelines, saying “such inconsistencies can lead to suboptimal food choices, confusion, and distrust.”
NORFOLK, Va. — Poor health and nutrition pose major challenges for the U.S. military, threatening readiness and the ability to maintain a healthy force, the Department of Defense (DoD) said.
That’s why the Department of Defense implemented the color-coded “Go for Green” and “Fueled to Fight” nutrition labeling programs at its dining facilities.
The idea is to make it easier for military personnel to find healthier food options.
In March, 13News Now got an up-close look at the galley systems at Naval Station Norfolk.
RELATED: Navy aims to provide healthier food options for sailors
“This is very important because fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy human being,” said Chief Warrant Officer Larry Lovell, Food Services chief. “And we all — Sailors, Soldiers and Soldiers — deserve the fuel we need to do our jobs.”
But a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) raises questions about how well the program is being implemented.
GAO visited 19 dining halls on military installations between July 2022 and June 2024 and found that required program elements had not been fully implemented.
GAO found instances in 14 facilities where color and sodium codes were missing, not standardized, or improperly placed.
GAO found that in 16 of the 19 food and beverage facilities visited, food service program officials told auditors that food service staff had not received required training on “Go for Green” or “Fueled to Fight.”
“Such inconsistencies could lead to suboptimal food choices and confusion and distrust of labeling programs by military personnel,” GAO concluded.
GAO made 16 recommendations, including establishing nutrition program guidance for each service.
