Fast food outlets near schools are being targeted as part of a healthy food initiative.
The Barnet Healthier Catering Commitment, which is now in its third year, is a voluntary scheme which recognises food outlets that take simple steps to offer healthier food options.
This year, the scheme will be focusing on fast food outlets that are located near schools, or are known to be popular with young people. Over the coming months, council officers and nutritionists from Public Health will be visiting these outlets to encourage them to make small changes to their menus that could have a positive impact on the health of customers and the community.
Once registered for the scheme, businesses are required to meet a series of criteria before being assessed and awarded the commitment at standard, silver or gold level award. Successful food outlets that enter at standard level can continue to work towards a higher award, and will be given a certificate and window sticker to promote their award.
There are nearly 100 businesses in the borough who have registered to the scheme, which is organised by Barnet Council, Re* and Barnet Public Health.
Food eaten out of the home tends to be higher in saturated fat and salt than food eaten at home. With over 75 per cent of families eating out of the home at least once a week, the role of restaurants and food outlets is very important in providing quality food.
The Healthier Catering Commitment is a London wide initiative that is supported by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Association of London Environmental Health Managers and the Greater London Authority.
Councillor Helena Hart, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “This is the third year the council has taken part in the Healthy Catering Commitment scheme, and slowly but surely businesses have started to respond positively to the initiative. This is not about the council imposing anything on businesses, this scheme is about having a conversation and understanding what small changes they could make to better improve the health outcomes of residents – especially young people.”
Dr Andrew Howe, Director of Barnet and Harrow Public Health, said: “This initiative has the benefits of working with food outlets to support healthy changes to diet and food intake whilst enabling people to make informed choices about what they eat.”
More information can be found on Barnet Council’s website.
*Re is a joint venture between Barnet Council and Capita.
