Panera Bread adds carbon footprint impact labels to menus

Panera Bread says it has become the first national chain to add carbon footprint impact labels to their menus.

Working with global research company, the World Resources Institute, Panera has identified the carbon footprint impact of each of their menu items, and 55% of Panera’s entrees fall in the climate-friendly category. Starting this fall, low carbon footprint menu items will now be labeled with WRI’s first “Cool Food Meals” designations, alongside Panera’s other menu information like calorie counts.

Since approximately 25% of the world’s carbon footprint is caused by agriculture and food production, Panera wanted to educate its consumers on the impact the foodservice industry has on the environment.

Unsurprisingly, entrees that were given Cool Food labels were plant-forward and low in meat content, like their...