The 150th food outlet has signed up to a healthy food scheme organised by Nottinghamshire County Council.
Working in partnership with district and borough councils across Nottinghamshire, the county council has given a warm welcome to JM’s fish diner in Bassetlaw which has signed up for the Healthier Options Takeaway (HOT) scheme.
Healthier options takeaways are committed to offering healthier ways of preparing, cooking and serving food and drink to customers to give them more nutritious choices.
JM’s fish diner, based in West Street, Retford, completed a recent audit with Bassetlaw District Council’s environmental health scheme in order to sign up to the scheme.
Managed by John Massey, the business has been trading for 16 years and has pledges on offering lower fat spread; offering a meal deal for smaller portion sizes and the introduction of a five hole salt shaker.
John said: “It is good to be able to tell customers that we have healthy options available. Fish and chips enjoyed in moderation, and giving people details of the calorific value, mean they can form part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
“We are proud to be the 150th outlet to be signed up to the Healthy Options Takeaway scheme in Nottinghamshire.”
There are lots of simple steps businesses can take to make their food healthier without compromising on taste, for example:
• Offering to grill, bake, poach or steam food instead of frying
• Removing salt from tables and counters so customers don’t just add it automatically
• Switching to wholegrain pasta, brown rice or wholegrain bread
• Offering a vegetable side or salad as a part of a meal option
• Switching from double cream to single cream, yoghurt or half fat crème fraiche
• Promoting water or low sugar drinks, or
• Offering smaller portion options for adults.
The scheme forms part of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which promotes healthy food and environments. It is part of the strategy aimed at delivering healthy and sustainable communities.
Businesses who sign up to HOT benefit from free marketing material to help promote the scheme as well.
Councillor Dr John Doddy, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone of 150 businesses signed up to Healthy Options Takeaway scheme across the county. Together with our district and borough council partners, we’re aiming to increase the amount and variety of healthier options in takeaways across Nottinghamshire to help consumers to maintain a more balanced diet.”
Councillor Sue Shaw, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and HOT Champion at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “I am really happy that the 150th sign up to the HOT scheme is here in Bassetlaw and it’s great to see that healthy options are firmly on the menu. I’d like to commend John and his wife Susan, and all of the HOT outlets across Nottinghamshire for their approach. I hope this encourages other takeaways to sign up and think healthy.”
In order to proactively sign up, businesses need to have a food hygiene rating above 3 and want to make some changes. They need to contact their local Environmental Health Food team at their local district council.
To find a HOT approved takeaway near you visit http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/health-and-wellbeing/healthier-options-takeaways
