Changes to award criteria

As reported in the May 2009 issue, we recently carried out a review of our Guidance for Applicants pack in partnership with the Food Standards Agency Scotland.

Following this review, a small number of changes have been made to the healthyliving award criteria.  The changes ensure that the award remains in line with national food policy and nutritional guidance, and details have now been sent out to all registered establishments.

Please make sure you introduce the changes as soon as possible, as you will be assessed on the new criteria at your next assessment visit.

FSA salt campaign - Is your food full of it?
By Kathy Guinee, Diet and Nutrition Branch, Food Standards Agency Scotland

Salt returned to the headlines and TV screens this autumn as the Food Standards Agency launched the latest stage of its public awareness campaign on salt.

This time we are informing consumers of the amount of salt that is hidden in lots of popular family foods such as bread, breakfast cereals, sauces, ketchup and soups. 

From the promotion of our previous campaigns, most people now know that it’s not a good idea to add salt at the table or when cooking, so with this campaign we are reminding people that 75% of the salt we eat is already in the foods we buy so it is essential that people check the labels and choose lower salt products when out shopping. 

The campaign informs consumers that a high level of salt is more than 1.5 grams per 100 grams; a low salt level is 0.3 grams or less, per 100 grams.

A high salt intake increases the risk of high blood pressure, which triples the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Adults should aim to eat no more than 6 grams of salt per day per adult, and children under eleven should have less. 

The campaign encourages consumers to make small changes by choosing the lower salt option on one key food per week.  By continuing to target one key food each week we can easily make the transition to a healthier and less salty diet and our taste buds will adjust in approximately eight weeks.

Further information and advice about reducing your salt intake can be found at www.eatwell.gov.uk/salt.

What do consumers think of the healthyliving award? Here’s what a few of them had to say:

“Wonderful little gem ... this wee place has definitely improved the health of our office nearby.” Customer, Manna Juice, Elgin.

“Wow – lots of choice. I can see by the apple labels what’s healthy eating.” Customer, BSkyB, Dunfermline.

“I eat here every week and I can always rely on a range of healthy and varied items on the menu.” Customer, Riverside Centre, Stirling.

Terms of Use • Cookies

healthyliving award • Consumer Focus Scotland
Royal Exchange House • 100 Queen Street • GLASGOW • G1 3DN
Phone: 0141 226 5261 • Fax: 0141 221 9695

Website: www.healthylivingaward.co.uk
e-mail: general enquiries: enquiries@healthylivingaward.co.uk
newsletter: coretalk@healthylivingaward.co.uk

If you would like to be added to our newsletter mailing list, or want to know more about the healthyliving award please subscribe here.