What is it?
The Healthier Catering Commitment (HCC) is a voluntary scheme for food businesses developed by the Association of London Environmental Health Managers and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and supported by Greater London Authority, Mayor of London office.
The Good Food in Greenwich network supports the development of a local healthy and sustainable food environment, and the HCC scheme comes under this initiative.
The scheme is designed to support fast food or café businesses, to help them make simple and affordable changes to the food they sell, to make it healthier for you.
There is link between what we eat and our health
- Too much salt in our diet can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Too much fat and sugar in the diet increase risk of being overweight, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
- Fruit and vegetables help protect against heart disease and cancer.
- Too many sugary foods also increase the risk of tooth decay.
People are increasingly eating outside of the home. In surveys, people say:
- They want healthier choices on the menu when they are eating outside the home.
- It is the responsibility of the caterer to provide healthier choice.
- They want to see more grilled and vegetarian options on the menu.
When a food business signs up to the HCC scheme, it commits to improving the food they sell by making small changes, such as:
- Changing the oil, they cook with to healthier alternatives
- Heating oil to correct temperature and regularly replacing used cooking oil with fresh cooking oil. This can help chips, and other fried foods soak up less fat during the cooking process
- Offering some healthy options (for example, lower sugar drinks and snacks); and
- Making smaller portions available on request.
HCC Compliant Business as of September 2106
Golden Chippy, Mr Huseiyn Kanizi, owner Healthier Catering Commitment awarded 2016
Rust Bucket Pizza Company, Vitto Marino, owner, Healthier Catering Commitment awarded 2017
How can I tell which fast food business is participating in this scheme?
Food businesses who adopt the scheme display the Healthier Catering Commitment logo on their business windows, doors or walls. So look out for this sign when you are next visiting a fast food outlet or café in your area
Signing-up to HCC
Businesses with a 3, 4 or 5 Food Hygiene Rating Score, wishing to join the HCC scheme, are assessed and given advice on how to meet at least eight qualifying criteria.
Where should I go to find out more about the Healthier Catering Commitment scheme?
GCDA assesses businesses interested in taking part in this scheme to help them achieve the free HCC award.
If you are an eligible fast food or café business or are a local resident in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and are interested in finding out more about the HCC scheme, then contact GCDA on 0208 269 4880 and speak to Livia, or email her at livia@gcda.org.uk .
