Welcome to Coretalk

Over 200,000 people a day eat in establishments that hold the healthyliving award, giving them the chance to choose a healthier meal. The award is reaching into all sorts of places across Scotland, with even prisons being included.

The team is currently busy revising the criteria and reviewing printed materials to make sure the award keeps on the right side of new European legislation to be introduced later this year.

Lots of you responded to our survey, included in the last issue of coretalk, saying you liked the recipes. Healthy options that appeal to children are always in demand, so why not try the recipe for mini chicken burgers that’s popular with the younger children at Mary Erskine School.

And if you’d like to learn more about healthy eating, in this issue you can find out about some of the training that’s on offer. You could even gain a qualification at the same time.

What’s cooking?

Changes on the way for the healthyliving award

We are currently working to make changes to ensure that the healthyliving award continues to grow and be successful while operating within the limitations of new European legislation. 

The main change will be that award holders, and those working towards the award, must soon stop using the healthyliving award apple logo to highlight healthier items on the menu and to customers. 

This change is due to European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods, which is likely to come into force later this year. According to this regulation, a health claim is defined as any claim that states, suggests or implies that a relationship exists between a food category, a food or one of its constituents, and health.

Using the apple logo against a menu item would imply that it is healthier. Therefore, it would be making a health claim.

Continue to place the healthier items in
prominent positions

The overarching aim of the award will remain: to work with caterers across Scotland to make it easier for consumers to eat healthily when eating out. The conditions of the award will also continue to be based on the principles of a healthy balanced diet - namely using ingredients, preparation and cooking methods which reduce fat, salt and sugar.

The healthyliving award has set up a working group to determine what the new legislation will mean in practice and to revise the award criteria.  The group includes representatives from bodies such as the Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Government, as well as from the catering sector. This should ensure the award remains relevant, appropriate and practical for businesses.

Caterers can continue to highlight menus using the apple logo until we inform them otherwise. However the changes are likely to come into force in summer 2011 so we advise against spending significant time or money on any further labelling of healthyliving choices.

Caterers must continue to place the healthier items in prominent positions, promote the award and plan at least two promotional events a year.

Please check the website at www.healthylivingaward.co.uk for further information and updates on progress. We have already written to all award holders and those working towards the award, and will continue to provide caterers with clear guidelines. 

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Food Service Sector
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Customers
Do you sometimes want to eat healthily when eating out? Click here
issue seventeen:
February 2011
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The healthyliving awardNHS Health Scotland - Scotland's health improvement agencyHealthier Scotland - Scottish GovernmentHealthier Scotland - Scottish Government