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: