26 September 2011 12:16

Food news

National award nomination for healthier Indian meals

An innovative local project to reduce salt, saturated fat and calories in popular Indian dishes has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The health by stealth pilot has been shortlisted alongside six other contenders for the Health Service Journal's (HSJ) Best Social Marketing Project Award.

A local chef worked closely with five restaurants across the county to make changes to their menu by offering an alternative healthier option to customers, without compromising on taste.

Some dishes have reduced their fat content by over half and consumer testing has shown that customer’s can’t tell the difference.

The project was a joint venture between NHS Lincolnshire, Trading Standards East Midlands and Lincolnshire Trading Standards Team, Social Change UK and Cook Connect Ltd, supported by Food Standards Agency, Department of Health and National Social Marketing Centre.

Joanne Hart, Social Marketing Co-ordinator for NHS Lincolnshire said:

"We are delighted to be shortlisted for this HSJ award and recognised for the work we have done with our key partners to support people to make healthier lifestyle choices. This project is innovative because we are trying to change the behaviour of those who supply the food, rather than directly targeting consumers to ask them to cut down or cut out. Most people already know that takeaway food can be unhealthy and we need to look at ways we can make it easier for people to eat more healthily but still enjoy takeaway food."

The winners will be announced on 15 November 2011.

The restaurants involved within the pilot were:

The Passage to India, Lincoln

The Star of India, Boston

Mowgli, Metheringham

The Agra, Sleaford

Kismet, Grantham (funded by South Kesteven District Council)

Join our Newsletter

Come & join us on...