Healthyliving award celebrates caterers’ healthier choices
Caterers from across the length and breadth of Scotland will today, 1 March 2017, be rewarded for ensuring that at least 50% of their menu contains healthier options by the healthyliving award (HLA), part of NHS Health Scotland.
Today’s 10th annual award ceremony hosted by NHS Health Scotland and chaired by Fergus Chambers, Chairman of Braehead Foods and former Managing Director of Cordia LLP, will celebrate the success of 146 of these businesses. While recognising the success of the latest businesses to achieve healthyliving awards, today will also provide an opportunity to commend those catering businesses who embraced the award many years ago and remain committed to making the healthier choice the easy choice for their customers.
Of the businesses attending, 77 have achieved the award in the past year, while 50 are being celebrated for their long term commitment to the award. Another 19 businesses are being rewarded for achieving the higher level of award the healthyliving award plus.
The awarded businesses will view a short film containing a message from Aileen Campbell, Minister of Public Health and Sport. While chef, Tony Singh MBE, will be speaking at the event.
The award forms an integral part of the Scottish Government’s Supporting Healthy Choices; A Framework for Voluntary Action (external website) and is part of a national drive to reduce health inequalities.
The ceremony is taking place today at the Trades Hall in Glasgow.
Scottish Government Minister of Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said
“As I look forward to the publication of our new obesity strategy, it’s good to know that we are building on programmes that are already successful. The healthyliving award continues to make a real difference to the food that’s served to people across Scotland.
“Winning the fight against type 2 diabetes and other diet-related conditions starts in our shops, cafes and restaurants. Every healthy meal that businesses serve is a step towards a healthier Scotland and I thank these caterers for their commitment to the award.”
Gerry McLaughlin, Chief Executive, NHS Health Scotland said
"During the past 10 years, over 3,000 catering establishments have played their part in improving the health of the Scottish population through the healthyliving award. The healthyliving award continues to set the national standard for the provision of healthier food in Scotland. I’m delighted with the progress made, and congratulate all those who have played their part. It’s our ambition that these partnerships grow and continue to flourish".
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For further information on the healthyliving award, contact the NHS Health Scotland Communications and Engagement Team on 07500 854574 or nhs.HealthScotland-Communications@nhs.net