Local Restaurants to Be Encouraged to Serve Healthier Food
New scheme aims to reduce obesity in Hounslow Borough
Cllr Samia Chaudhary meets the owners of Humble Thali
A new scheme has been launched to encourage restaurants and takeaways operating in the borough to serve healthier food.
The London Healthier Catering Commitment (HCC), is a voluntary scheme aimed at making simple changes to how food is prepared, cooked, and served, to reduce the amount of food that is high in fat, sugar, and salt.
The new scheme is designed to attract a network of local food businesses in the borough of Hounslow committed to offering their customers healthier choices when eating out. That way, customers can decide where to dine, knowing that healthier options are available to them.
Participating businesses will receive support from the council’s Public Health team to make the healthier changes and can display a certificate and window sticker to promote their participation in the scheme. They also receive a free online food safety training place in recognition of their efforts.
Recent Public Health England data, for Hounslow shows that 38.7 per cent of children in year six and 63.2 per cent of adults are overweight or obese. One of the biggest barriers to maintaining a healthy weight is the lack of healthy food and drink options.
The first business to sign up to the scheme, Humble Thali, opened in Feltham during the Covid-19 pandemic as a takeaway restaurant due to lockdown restrictions but has since opened its doors to welcome customers as a dine-in restaurant as well. Any businesses wishing to join can express their interest by email for an initial assessment.
Humble Thali owner, Abhijit Borkar, said, “We are delighted to be the first food outlet in Hounslow to sign up. It’s really easy to join and the support on offer has been great to help us lead the way. We felt it was important to be part of the positive impact it will have on our customers’ health allowing them to enjoy a guilt-free meal out.”
Commenting on the launc, Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health Integration at Hounslow Council, said, “Staying a healthy weight can be a real challenge when there is so much unhealthy fast food available, so it is very inspiring to see food outlets playing their part. We encourage more to join the scheme to boost healthier options available throughout the borough. “
To find out more and sign-up, businesses should visit the council’s website or email HealthierCateringCommitment@hounslow.gov.uk.
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October 9, 2022