Until now healthyliving award applicants have used the ‘apple’ logo on menus and at point of sale to identify healthyliving choices. In line with EU Regulations on Nutrition and Health Claims in Food, businesses are no longer able to make health claims for specific foods – this means healthyliving award sites can no longer use the ‘apple’ logo or any other symbol to highlight menu items.
In line with the EU Regulation we have written to all our award holders and registered caterers to inform them that they must now take steps to remove the apple logo from menus and from point of sale.
- Caterers must remove the apple logo wherever it is used to identify a healthier item to customers, including:
- From menu boards
- From servery counters
- From self-service displays
- From point of sale displays
- From online menus
- Caterers should do this as soon as possible, but no later than the end of December 2011.
- From 1st January 2012 caterers must not use any logo or symbol to identify a healthier item.
- From 1st January 2012 caterers must not make a health claim for any food; for example they must not describe any dish or item as being healthy, healthier, good for you, and so on.
The award still requires that 50% of the food items served are healthyliving items (70% for HLA plus holders), even though these can no longer be highlighted to customers. Continuing to make healthyliving items available means the healthyliving award will continue to be the sign of healthier food, and its benefits will remain the same – customers will know that the food served is always made with their health in mind.
Caterers can continue to display the healthyliving award logo in their premises to let customers know that they hold the award or are working towards it. They just need to make sure it is not displayed alongside any particular food items.
We have developed exciting new promotional materials for award applicants and award holders to help promote understanding and awareness of the healthier catering practices they use. These resources will be distributed early in the New Year.
If you have any questions please get in touch on 0141 226 5261, or email enquiries@healthylivingaward.co.uk.