Green Light (highest standards) & Yellow Light (not as strict) count as real food.

For example, a product is rated green light in the Humane category if Animal Welfare Approved by the Animal Welfare Institute, and yellow light in the Humane category if certified Global Animal Partnership Step 3.

Red Light does not meet standards for real food.

For example, a product is rated red light in the Humane category if certified Global Animal Partnership Step 1 or 2, because this is not enough to count as real food. However, the product may count in one or more of the other categories.

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Automatic disqualification criteria are based on emerging consensus on the considerations that are foundational to a good food system:

• Basic labor standards. It is critical that food is not produced under conditions of slave labor or violations of labor standards. (See Fair for more details.)
• Basic health standards. Food should not contain elements with the potential to harm the environment or us, the consumers. (See Ecologically Sound for more details.)
• Basic animal rights. Food production should not unduly infringe on animals’ quality of life. (See Humane for more details.)

Products that do not meet basic human and animal rights and health standards cannot count as real food in any category.

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See RFC's "Real Food Guide" for full details on these criteria.

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