More food choices across the borough thanks to healthy partnership

A partnership team is working with food businesses in Blackburn with Darwen to boost healthier choices for customers.

Recipe 4 Health is Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Environmental Health team working in partnership with Public Health and the healthy living team. They are working with food businesses to try and improve the amount of healthier choices on the menu.

Officers are working with businesses to help and advise about healthy options, offering free menu analysis and advice on allergies labelling, whilst helping them to add healthier dishes to their menus, reducing harmful fat content, salt and sugars.

The award is free to businesses and available on three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – linked to the Government’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, The aim is not to force people to eat healthier options, but to make it easier to find healthy options when eating out for those who want them.

Cllr Jim Smith, the Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “The Recipe 4 Health campaign is a great way of promoting healthier eating at takeaways and cafes across the whole borough. It is not trying to discourage people from eating their favourite foods and takeaways; it is there to encourage the businesses to use healthier cooking techniques. We hope that people in Blackburn and Darwen embrace the scheme.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “There is a lot we can do for ourselves when it comes to taking care of our own health and the Recipe 4 Health campaign can help with this and help people choose healthy options when eating out.”

Any businesses wanting to gain the award should contact the Public Protection Service on (01254) 267688 or email: publicprotection@blackburn.gov.uk