New fund announced to help people eat healthier food out of home

Small and medium sized food and drink businesses across Scotland - that supply the food service sector - can apply for up to £5,000 – to help make their food healthier. This includes businesses that supply caterers, take aways, cafes, restaurants, the NHS, and colleges and universities.

Successful businesses can use the fund to support projects that reduce the fat, sugar, calories or salt content or that increase fibre, wholegrain, or fruit and vegetable content in recipes.

Food and drink producers are committed to offering a wider range of healthier products – but the associated costs can be challenging. That’s why this fund has been launched.

The fund can be used to pay for activities such as accessing nutritional testing and technical support and working with ingredient suppliers to source and trial new innovative solutions that can improve the health of products.

Food and drink businesses have until 13 September 2024 to apply for the fund.

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 with 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.”

If food and drink businesses are interested in finding out more about how FDF Scotland can support you with recipe reformulation please email reformulation@fdfscotland.org.uk.

ENDS

For more information or for media opportunities, please contact kirsty.tinsdale@fdfscotland.org.uk / 07508 303 736.

Notes for editors:

1. The Healthier Food Service Fund is open to all micro, small, and medium sized food and drink companies based in Scotland that supply the food service sector. This funding has been provided by Food Standards Scotland. Successful applicants will be awarded funds up to £5,000 and need to provide at least 50% of the total project costs. The deadline for businesses to apply for the fund is 13 September 2024. 
2. FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health programme, funded by the Scottish Government, is helping small and medium sized food companies to make their products healthier.
3. FDF Scotland is a division of the FDF - the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector.