About the Ingredient Guide
A science-based tool created primarily by school nutrition professionals, in partnership with Center for Science in the Public Interest, highlighting unwanted ingredients to eliminate, and those to watch out for as new food products are developed and others are modified.
For school nutrition professionals and manufacturers committed to improving the overall quality, nutritional value, and safety of food provided to all students in every school.
Downloadable Resources
Full 2025 Ingredient Guide Resource
2025 Quick Reference Guide
2025 Spanish Quick Reference
Green Onion
Green Onion is a free online tool for school nutrition professionals and purchasing cooperatives to analyze their products for ingredients of concern based on the Ingredient Guide for Better School Purchasing.
Users can find better product alternatives and track their progress towards eliminating Unwanted Ingredients and limiting Watch Ingredients on an individualized dashboard.
Ingredient Guide 