Healthier Catering Commitment
As a food business, you can make a significant contribution to improving your customers’ diet and health by making a few simple changes in how you prepare and cook your food by joining the Healthier Catering Commitment (HCC) scheme. As consumers are becoming a lot more aware of healthier eating, taking part in the HCC scheme could give you a competitive edge and increase both your customer satisfaction and your sales.
The scheme encourages businesses in London to:
- demonstrate a commitment to reducing the level of saturated fat and salt content in their foods
- offer some healthy options (for example, lower sugar drinks and snacks)
- make smaller portions available on request
This follows the principle that 'small changes can make a big difference'.
The scheme is run by London Borough of Redbridge in partnership with the Greater London Authority, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and supported by the Mayor of London
Customer research
Based on local research, residents have told us that they would prefer healthier options. As part of the Great Weight Debate young people in Redbridge stated that they would like to see food establishments and takeaways provide and promote:
- more vegan and vegetarian options
- healthier alternatives such as grilled chicken wraps
- smaller portions of chips and takeaway boxes
Eligibility
All catering establishments can apply including fast food outlets, sandwich bars, cafes, restaurants and leisure centres. Businesses must have a food hygiene rating score of 3 or above.
To use the Healthier Catering Commitment logo, a business must achieve 8 criteria including 4 essential criteria (plus a further 3 for those who deep fry food). They are all designed to be simple to use.
The criteria cover the main areas:
- healthier frying
- reducing salt
- reducing sugar
- health promotion
- reducing portion size / providing child size portions
For a full list of the criteria look at the HCC checklist
For further resources and information visit the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health HCC web page
Apply for the HCC scheme
To apply for the scheme or if you have any questions, please contact Rawnak on healthiercateringcommitment@redbridge.gov.uk
HCC benefits
Businesses can achieve an award and receive recognition on the London Borough of Redbridge's website and in local publications. You will be given a certificate and a window sticker to promote your award on your premises.
Current award holders can be found below:
Business Name | Location | Date Awarded |
Yummy Chicken | 12 Goodmayes Road Ilford IG3 9UN | July 2017 |
Brothers Fish Bar | 7 Cameron Road Ilford IG3 8LG | October 2017 |
Evya Turkish Grill and Meze | 7-13 Goodmayes Road Ilford, IG3 9UH | March 2018 |
Bukhara Restaurant | 827-829 High Road Ilford, IG3 8TD | March 2018 |
Griller | 649 High Road Ilford | March 2018 |
TFL Canteen, Hainault Depot (private access) | Thurlow Gardens Ilford, IG6 2UU | March 2018 |
Owls Play Centre | Fairlop Waters, Forest Road Barkingside, IG6 3HN | April 2018 |