Food & Health Alliance

Over the past six years the healthyliving award apple logo has become an increasingly familiar indicator that Scottish canteens, cafes and restaurants are serving up food with healthy ingredients and production methods.

But from the new year all that will change. Under a new EU regulation, caterers will no longer be able to display the apple next to food items on the menu and will have to advertise the fact they hold the coveted award in different ways.

Yvonne Traynor, the award’s Development Co-ordinator, says the EU changes, which forbid health claims for specific foods, have been in the offing for some time. But they have nevertheless met with a mixed response from award holders. “We’ve had a range of views from disappointment and frustration to those who see this as an opportunity to say more about what they’re doing behind the scenes.”

Clearly, she acknowledges, the new ruling requires a change of tack. But she believes it could actually be beneficial in the long run. Award winners are still able to advertise their status on the premises as well as in their literature and on websites. And the award team is now supporting this with a range of new promotional resources.

“These resources will enable businesses to give the consumer more information about what they’re doing in practical terms,” says Yvonne. “They will learn they are using less fat, salt and sugar as well as leaner cuts of meat, higher fibre and so on. That will of course need to be backed up by promotion and education about the switch.”

The healthyliving award, which is funded by the Scottish government and is an integral part of its obesity strategy, was launched in 2006 with a brief to ensure more eating establishments provided their customers with healthy, nutritious food. This objective was supported by research showing growing public demand for healthy menu options.

The awards are aimed at the wide array of public eating outlets from cafes, sandwich shops and restaurants to workplace canteens and bed and breakfasts. So far 675 businesses have received the award with another 300 working towards it – and around 210,000 customers eat in award-holding establishments every day.

To qualify an organisation is expected to make changes to how its food is prepared and demonstrate that at least half of the food it produces matches up to the healthyliving criteria. This includes minimising fat, sugar and salt, making fruit and vegetable clearly available and ensuring starchy foods are the main ingredient in most meals.

Testing out the organisation’s credentials is a rigorous process which begins with checking basic food hygiene standards and then proceeds though self-assessment, assessment and finally confirmation. This can often take six months or more to complete.

Once accepted on the scheme candidates will be asked to work towards the healthyliving standard using the self-assessment questionnaire as a checklist. When they believe they are ready they ask for an assessment.

This involves a visit from a specially trained assessor who not only checks the front of house and reviews some sample recipes but also interviews the head chef and other staff members to ensure everyone understands and is signed up to the award’s principles.

At the end of this process the organisation may be awarded the healthyliving certificate or they may have to make further changes. The award itself lasts for two years after which businesses are encouraged to apply or reapply for the healthyliving plus award.

The benefits of being able to display the healthyliving certificate are considerable, says Yvonne. “It shows that the business is health conscious and it can give a competitive edge over rivals.” In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests it can help to increase trade, motivate staff and improve their knowledge and skills.

She has worked for the scheme from the start and was also with its predecessor, Healthy Choices. She is encouraged by what has been achieved in that time. “I think we are making progress, with new businesses registering every month, though it’s obviously hard to gauge the impact on individuals.

“But the feedback we get from our caterers is often very, very positive and that certainly helps me feel we are starting to make a difference.”

Contact details: enquiries@healthylivingaward.co.uk  / 0141 226 5261