Trafford Healthy Choices Award
Research shows that people are eating out at restaurants and takeaway food outlets
more often than ever before indicating that catering establishments have an increasing
influence on the food we eat.
It is therefore important that consumers have the ability to make informed choices about
the nutrient value of the meals they choose. The food a person eats can impact
dramatically on their quality of life. A diet high in fat, sugar and salt and low in fruit and
vegetables can lead to people becoming overweight / obese, both of which are linked to
a number of diet related illnesses such as some cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart
disease.
The Trafford Healthy Choices Award has been launched to encourage food businesses in
the area to opt for healthier menus and promote healthier choices to their customers.
The award has two main aims:
1. To provide healthier menus to the consumer through improved preparation and
cooking methods and promotion of healthier foods
2. To allow the consumer to make an informed choice regarding the catering
establishments they can eat in which supply healthy food options.
The Award
If you satisfy the broadly compliant element of your most recent food hygiene inspection
then you are eligible for the award. An initial self assessment checklist has been provided
for you to ensure that you are meeting recommendations in relation to the types of foods
used, the preparation and cooking practices implemented and the promotion of healthier
foods. The checklist may require you to alter some of your catering practices. Once you
have completed the checklist you can submit it along with a detailed copy of your menu.
You will then be visited by a Public Health Nutritionist who will assess the menu and
catering practices. On completion of the visit a short report will be written highlighting
whether you have won an award and at which level as well as offering any nutritional
advice needed.
The award is split into 4 categories – bronze, silver, gold and gold plus.
• Bronze – achieved 50% of the checklist
• Silver – achieved 70% of the checklist
• Gold – achieved 90% of the checklist
• Gold plus – in addition to meeting 90% of the checklist you also adhere to a
minimum of two extra healthy choice commitments
The award is made up of 9 categories and the gold plus category. To achieve the award at
any level you must achieve at least 50% of the criteria in each category, with an overall
score of 70% or 90% to achieve the silver or gold awards respectively.
What do I get?
The award is free of charge to apply for. Once your award entry has been approved you
will gain the following:
• Recognition – customers will be able to recognise your premises as making
positive contributions towards offering healthier choices
• Promotional material - a certificate and window sticker to display on your
premises
• Publicity - a listing on the Trafford council website, the healthy food guide on the
Trafford tourist information website, the Trafford towns centre website and the
Trafford Food Network website.
The award is valid for 1 year when the application should be resubmitted to either regain
the current level of the award or to improve.
Terms and conditions
In order to maintain consumer confidence and the integrity of the scheme, the award may
be withdrawn if changes in the business mean that the award criteria are no longer met.
If your standards fall, the award will be removed from you. This will ensure that the public
can continue to the trust the award as a sign of consistent excellence.
If throughout the year a renewed food hygiene inspection takes place which is less than
broadly compliant, your award may be revoked.
All premises must make the Environmental Health team aware of any changes in practice
such as new ownership / management / address and under such circumstances the
award will be reassessed.
If following an assessment, you feel you should have received the award (or the award
has been withdrawn) you have the right to have your views considered. If you believe that
a council officer has acted unfairly, you have 21 days to appeal to an Environmental
Health Manager against the decision.
For more information please contact…
Kate Laking - Public Health Nutrition Coordinator
Public Protection
Trafford Town Hall
Talbot Road
Stretford
Manchester
M32 0YJ
0161 912 4952
[email protected]
Registration Form
1. Name of establishment:
2. Address of establishment:
3. Name of contact and position:
4. Contact telephone / email address:
5. Type of business
Workplace canteen
Hospital canteen
Hotels
Public house
Restaurant
Takeaway outlets
□
□
□
□
□
□
Sandwich bars
Community café
□
□
Other (please state)
6. What type of meals do you serve?
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
□
□
□
7. How often do you change your menus?
Snacks
Other (please state)
□
Checklist
Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other cereals
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
1. All main meals are served with a starchy carbohydrate i.e.
pasta, rice, bread, potatoes etc.
2. Whole meal / granary / seeded breads are always available
3. Whole meal pasta and grains are always available
4. Where chips or fried rice are served, alternatives such as
pasta, boiled rice, mashed / boiled / baked potatoes are
available
5. If chips are on offer, they thick / steak cut / potato wedges
6. Where pizza is served, deep crust options are available
7. If breakfast cereals are served a choice of low sugar / salt
options are available
OTHER COMMENTS…
Fruit and vegetables
1. A choice of salad and vegetables are always available
2. If dishes are served with vegetables at least one portion (80g)
is provided (not including potatoes)
3. Non fried vegetable dishes such as stir fried vegetables or
steamed vegetables are available on the starter, main and extras
menus
4. Fresh fruit / fruit salads are offered as a snack / dessert option
OTHER COMMENTS…
Milk and dairy foods
1. Low fat varieties of milk are available
2. Low fat varieties of yoghurt are available
3. Low fat varieties of cheese are available
OTHER COMMENTS…
Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non dairy sources of protein
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
1. Oily fish is available on the menu at least once a week, or daily
if a set menu
2. Lean meat is used where possible i.e. lean mince, rindless
back bacon, low fat sausages etc.
3. Where kebabs are available, a variety are on offer, not just
donor meat
4. A low fat vegetarian option based on lentils / pulses / beans is
always available
OTHER COMMENTS…
Foods and drinks high in fat and / or sugar
1. Unsweetened fruit juice, water and reduced fat milk are always
available
2. Lower fat cake options are available such as malt loaf, current
bun, tea cake, scones etc.
3. Customers are allowed to opt for desserts without added
cream / ice cream
4. Where crisps are on offer lower fat snacks are available i.e.
plain popcorn, rice cakes, breadsticks etc.
5. Where fat / oil is needed only unsaturated varieties are used
6. Scraps are not offered as extras with fish and chip meals
OTHER COMMENTS…
Cooking and preparation methods
Yes
1. If sandwiches / potatoes are served, low fat fillings are
available i.e. tuna with low fat mayonnaise, cottage cheese,
chicken and avocado etc.
2. If baked potatoes are served, they are served without added
butter or fat unless requested
3. If bread is served, it is served without added butter or fat
unless requested
4. If sandwiches are served, butter or spread on bread is optional
5. Boiled or steamed foods are on offer such as rice, potatoes
and vegetables
6. Salads are served without dressings
7. Butter or glaze is not added to vegetables
8. Vegetables are cooked in a minimum amount of water for the
shortest amount of time
9. If using tinned vegetables, varieties without added salt or sugar
are used
10. If using tinned fruit, varieties in natural juice not syrup are
used
11. If using cheese, low fat varieties are used
12. If using cheese, mature varieties are used
13. If using cheese it is grated to reduce volume required
14. If using milk or yoghurt, low fat varieties are used
15. Instead of opting for cream in dishes, lower fat varieties such
as low fat crème fraiche, fromage frais or low fat natural yoghurt
are used
16. Grilled / poached / steamed / baked meat and fish are
available instead of fried or roasted
17. Any visible fat from meats and skin from poultry is removed
before cooking
18. All meat / fish is drained to remove excess fat
19. Any visible floating fat / oil is skimmed from soups, stews and
sauces
20. Minimal fat / oil is used in cooking
No
N/A
21. If food is fried the oil is changed regularly
22. If food is fried it is done at the optimum frying temperature
(180 - 190˚c – check food labels for instructions)
23. Food is not re-fried
24. Herbs and spices are used for flavour instead of salt when
cooking
25. Where salt / MSG (mono-sodium glutamate) is added in
cooking, steps are being taken to reduce levels used
OTHER COMMENTS…
Condiments
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
1. Reduced salt condiments are used i.e. sauces / gravy
2. Condiments are not available on individual tables
3. If salt sellers are used they have a reduced number of holes
4. Where sauces are available they are in sachets of 10g or 1
portion
5. Low fat salad dressings are available
6. Alternatives to sugar are available on request
OTHER COMMENTS…
Portion sizes
1. Child size portions of the main menu are available
2. Half size portions of main menu choices are available
3. There are no super size offers on foods high in fat, salt and
sugar
4. Salad is added as a portion to dishes not just as a garnish
(i.e.80g or more)
OTHER COMMENTS…
Promotion
Yes
No
N/A
1. Bottled water or unsweetened fruit juice is available as part of
children’s meal deals
2. A free piece of fruit or vegetable is offered with each children’s
meal
3. Mushy peas are offered inclusive of the price of fish and chips
4. Price foods and meal deals to promote healthier choices
5. Include healthier options in set menus
6. Highlight healthy food choices on the menu
7. Label menus with traffic light system or GDA’s
(*Red, amber or green dependent upon high, medium, low values
of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar within foods)
8. Give healthier options a prominent position in displays
9. Restrict promotional offers on foods high in fat, salt and sugar.
10. Display promotional material on government campaigns i.e. 5
a day, salt reduction, saturated fat reduction
OTHER COMMENTS…
Gold plus
In addition to reaching 90% of the above criteria do you also adhere to at least 2 of the
following…
Yes
No
N/A
1. Free tap water is available to all customers on request
2. No additional trans fats other than those found naturally are
present in ingredients used
3. Local sourcing of food products where possible
4. Breastfeeding friendly environment
5. Catering staff and management have training in basics of
nutrition and healthy eating i.e. CIEH Level 2 award in healthier
food and special diets
6. Where possible you adhere to the relevant six food related
behaviours of Change4Life
i) Sugar swaps
ii) Me size meals
iii) 5 a day
iv) Cut back fat
v) Meal time
vi) Snack check
OTHER COMMENTS…
Any other comments