Heartbeat Award.

More people are eating out and it is therefore important that caterers are helping their customers to contribute towards a healthy lifestyle.  To encourage this, Guildford Borough Council run the Heartbeat Award Scheme in conjunction with West Surrey Health Promotion Service. 

This scheme is nationally recognised and aims to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.  Caterers who demonstrate their strong commitment to their customers by offering healthier food choices, good standards of hygiene and smoke-free eating areas may be eligible for this award. 

Requirements for the Heartbeat Award:

You must first demonstrate to an Environmental Health Officer that you comply with all the legal requirements for hygiene.  This involves satisfying 3 criteria:

• Your premises must comply with the Food Safety (General Food Safety) Regulations 1995 and with the Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995.  Additionally, all your staff involved in food handling should have received food hygiene training to the level of the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene.
  
• All eating areas must be 100% smoke free.
  
• Your menu must give your customers healthy food choices.  This can be achieved by increasing the availability of healthier food choices and by adopting healthier food preparation, cooking and serving practices.

Current Holders of the Heartbeat Award:

Current holders of the award include:

• Mount Alvernia Hospital
• Royal Grammar School
• Standard Life Healthcare
• Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Staff from Sodexho Ltd, Standard Life Healthcare and the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre receiving their Heartbeat Awards from Environmental Health Officer, Hannah Ryder and trainee Environmental Health Officer, Laurence Evans.

How can I apply for the award.?

All types of catering establishments can apply for the Heartbeat Award from workplaces, schools or hospital canteens, to sandwich bars, restaurants, pubs, hotels and takeaways.  For more information call Guildford Borough Council on 01483 444371.

National Food Safety Week.

National Food Safety week provides a nationwide focal point for highlighting the importance of food safety and the basic principals of food hygiene.  It provides the opportunity for everyone across the UK to work together in communicating simple food safety messages.  Event organisers include Environmental Health Departments, Health Promotion and Infection Control Teams in hospitals, GP practices, schools, companies and many others.

Guildford Borough Council participate in National Food Safety week which usually falls in the second week of June.

The 2003 campaign took place on the 9-15 June and focused on raising the awareness of handwashing.  For more information about foodlink please click here.

Staff from Avaya, Guildford participating in the 2003 National Food Safety week with Environmental Health Officer, Hannah Ryder.

Should you be interested in participating in National Food Safety Week please contact this Department on 01483 444371.