Last updated on August 30th, 2022
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is partnering with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, and the Global Risk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, to bring a new, comprehensive cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention program to grocery retailers. The program, called the GBAC STAR, is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.
“Over the last few months, the entire food industry has come together to keep America fed while also giving back to communities during difficult times. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, independent supermarkets have been innovators, coming up with creative ways to continue serving customers efficiently and safely,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO. “As consumers navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now, more than ever, concerned about store safety and cleanliness. Our partnership with GBAC brings a training certification program to NGA members, enabling them to create a sanitation and outbreak prevention program customers can count on going forward.”
GBAC STAR is the gold standard of prepared facilities. This accreditation means a facility has:
- Established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents like the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
- The proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices in place to combat biohazards and infectious disease.
- Highly skilled cleaning professionals who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.
The GBAC STAR Accreditation Program is performance-based and designed to help facilities and their teams establish a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention. The program relies on GBAC’s comprehensive training, which teaches the proper protocols, correct disinfection techniques and cleaning best practices for biohazard situations like the novel coronavirus.
Successful GBAC STAR facilities can demonstrate that correct work practices, procedures and systems are in place to prepare, respond and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
To learn more about the GBAC STAR program, click here.
NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages and $27 billion in taxes.
