The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland has partnered with Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to launch a new fund to help food businesses make ‘healthier’ products for the food service sector.
Small- and medium-sized food businesses supplying the food service sector across Scotland will be able to apply for up to £5,000 funding to make their products ‘healthier’. Businesses will have until Friday 13th September to apply for the fund.
FDF Scotland and FSS said that successful businesses can use the fund to support projects that reduce the fat, sugar, calories or salt content or increase fibre, wholegrain or fruit and vegetable content in recipes.
The fund was launched as the two food bodies said that the associated costs of producing healthier food products could be “challenging” for businesses. They highlighted that the fund could be used for accessing nutritional testing and technical support, while working with ingredient suppliers to source and trial new solutions to improve the nutritional content of certain products.
Engaging with the food sector
Joanne Burns, FDF Scotland’s reformulation for health manager, said: “I am delighted to launch the Healthier Food Service Fund – thank you to Food Standards Scotland for providing the funding that has made this possible. Food service providers play such an integral part in supporting the health of Scotland’s people, with many people in education and the workplace consuming one or two meals a day out of the home.
“This funding will support food and drink businesses to make changes to their recipes that will help improve dietary health in communities across the country.
“Many products sold in food service have been sourced directly from a supplier and not further altered by the catering team. This includes sweet and savoury bakery products, desserts, butchery items, ready made sauces, ready meals, and grab and go products such as sandwiches and pasta pots. We wish to target these items and I look forward to seeing healthier Scottish favourites such as empire biscuits, caramel shortcake, Lorne sausage and Scotch pies in outlets in the near future.”
Lesley Curtis, public health nutrition advisor at Food Standards Scotland, said: “FSS is pleased to be supporting the food service sector in Scotland to improve the nutritional quality of products through reformulation. Evidence shows reformulation, such as reducing portion size or calories, is one of the most effective ways the food industry can contribute towards improving dietary health in Scotland.
“Food and drinks purchased when eating out or on the go form a significant part of our diet, and are estimated to make up 25% of all calories we eat. These foods tend to be higher in calories, fat, sugar and salt than those we buy from supermarkets. Engaging with the food service sector to reformulate their products is vital to ensure people can access healthier food when away from home.”
