Healthy eating award scheme ‘Recipe 4 Health’ launched in Rossendale

A new healthy eating award scheme, Recipe 4 Health, has been launched in Rossendale this week, with two businesses already receiving their award. Millie Masons and Spicy Jack Deli located in Rawtenstall market have both received their bronze awards.  

Recipe 4 Health is a Lancashire Trading Standards scheme and is awarded by Lancashire County Council and supported locally by Environmental Health Officers from Rossendale Borough Council.  

The award is free and encourages local food businesses and schools including restaurants, takeaways, catering services, or cafés, to make simple changes to their menus and policies, to support the health of the local community.  

The award criteria focus on healthy eating, environmental issues, and social responsibility.  

Ranny Thind from Spicy Jack Deli said: “I think it is a great initiative to get involved in. We’re passionate about what we do and it’s really important to provide good quality and healthy options for our customers – especially as people are so much more conscious of what they eat now adays. This award demonstrates to our customers that we take that seriously.” 

Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Michael Green said: “The Recipe 4 Health campaign is a brilliant way to promote healthy eating and smart food choices across the county. It’s fantastic that the award is being rolled out into more districts across Lancashire and that new businesses are signing up.  

“Our existing and new award holders and businesses should be celebrated for boosting their healthier options, that encourage people of all ages across the county to make healthier lifestyle choices.” 

Councillor Adrian Lythgoe said: “It’s our responsibility as a borough to look after our health and to guide the role that food businesses play in this, with those businesses serving healthier food to be promoted. 

“As we launch the Recipe 4 Health scheme in Rossendale, I would like to encourage more local businesses to apply for the award and promote healthier eating and smart food choices for our community. 

“I would also like to encourage members of the public to look out for the Recipe 4 Health stickers in local cafe and takeaway windows. This will help you ensure you will have the choice of a healthier meal for your breakfast, lunch or dinner.” 

There are three levels to the Recipe 4 Health award – bronze, silver and gold. Any out of home food businesses can apply for the R4H award.  

To apply for bronze, businesses must have a 3* hygiene rating; to apply for silver, they must have a 4* rating; and to apply for gold, they must have a 5* rating. 

Businesses must apply for bronze before applying for silver, and silver before applying to gold. The award is free to apply for and businesses can apply to the R4H award at any time of the year. 

At each level, businesses have to show they are compliant with food safety, food standards, licensing and age restricted sales legislation and have an awareness of healthy eating, environmental issues, allergens and alcohol issues. 

To apply for the award, businesses must complete a self-assessment form, which will then be sent to Lancashire’s Trading Standards team. If a business successfully qualifies for the award, they will be notified by post, which usually takes no longer than one month. Those who make the grade, following the assessment, are awarded a certificate and window sticker to display at their premises and the business will be promoted via the scheme website and Lancashire County Council/district council social media channels. 

For more information about Recipe 4 Health and to download the award self-assessment form visit lancashire.gov.uk/recipe4health or email recipe4health@lancashire.gov.uk.