The Northamptonshire Heartbeat Award is a Countywide scheme promoted and managed by Local Authority Environmental Health Departments in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council and NHS Northamptonshire. The scheme is a two tier award whereby any caterer who can demonstrate and document high standards of hygiene and a menu which provides healthy options can apply for the ‘standard’ award or the ‘gold’ award.

The criteria for each level are as follows:

Heartbeat

• Have at least a 3 star rating for food hygiene under the ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme
• Comply with appropriate nutritional assessment criteria*
• Show basic allergy awareness
• Have a simple Heartbeat self-audit process

Heartbeat Gold

• Have at least a 4 star rating for food hygiene under the ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme
• Comply with appropriate nutritional assessment criteria*
• Nutritional training to at least a level 2 standard for manager/supervisor
• Show basic allergy awareness
• Have a documented Heartbeat management system in place

* Nutritional criteria depends on the type of premises e.g. schools, early years settings, residential care homes (elderly) and general catering.

Why Choose Healthier Catering?
The UK has one of the highest rates of heart disease and the most rapidly increasing rates of obesity in Europe. Eating a well balanced, healthier diet, inside and outside the home, will contribute towards better heart health and help to reduce the risk of ill health.

What are the Nutritional Criteria?
The nutritional criteria used are dependant on the group being catered for. For example, children in schools will have different nutritional needs to the elderly in care homes. In a general catering establishment e.g. café or pub restaurant, the following will be applied:

Are you a school?
The nutritional element of the Northamptonshire Heartbeat Award for LEA schools reflects the Government’s School Food and Nutrient based standards.  These are a statutory requirement under the Education Act.   Caterers will need to comply with these standards in order to gain the award. More information on these standards can be found at www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk   

Whist these standards do not apply to independent schools it is hoped they will be adopted on a voluntary basis. If these standards are not adopted please use the nutritional questionnaires below for primary and secondary schools.

Nutritional criteria for the Northamptonshire Heartbeat Award are available to download here:

Early Years Settings

Primary and Secondary Schools

Residential and Care Homes for the Elderly

General Catering

Partner Organisations

Healthy Food and Drink Team
A healthy diet supports children and young people’s healthy development and well-being as well as enabling them to learn and achieve, which is why healthy eating and drinking is reflected in Government policy and is dominant in the media. The Healthy Food and Drink Team are able to provide schools and external partners with a wide variety of support mechanisms to ensure that children, young people and families have the best possible understanding and provision of a healthy diet. The Healthy Food and Drink Team offer a holistic approach, such as Food and Nutrient Standards, Free School Meals and activities for pupils and their parents, ensuring a Whole School Healthy Ethos and Policy is determined and implemented successfully as well as professional support for colleagues across the County.

Further information can be found at www.healthyfoodanddrink.co.uk

Trading Standards
Northamptonshire Trading Standards is primarily a consumer protection and fair trading enforcement service. The Service has diverse responsibilities covering laws which fall under nine broad categories: Fraud (including rogue trading activities), Age-restricted sales, Animal Health & Welfare, Consumer & Business Advice, Environmental Controls, Consumer Safety, Fair Trading, Food and Agricultural Standards, and Licensing & Registration.

Food & Health Team – What we do
Consumers should be able to rely on the information provided on food labels to choose what to buy, and be confident that the nutritional information, claims and descriptions are true and that they are not misleading about what the food is made from.

To help consumers achieve this we work with local businesses to ensure foods are produced and marketed in compliance with the law.

We advise of Food Standards Agency targets to reduce salt, sugar and saturated fats levels in ready made meals and meals produced in catering establishments so producers can start taking steps in providing healthier meals.

We provide guidance to ensure businesses are aware of the dangers people with food allergies face and try ensure that menus and labels clearly list dishes which include allergenic ingredients, and that staff are trained to respond to a consumer request for a food that does not contain a certain ingredient.

We investigate food complaints where there are concerns about the accuracy of the label and composition of the food and respond to food alerts and assist in the removal of food that could cause harm if consumed.

We carry sampling projects of foods that are subject to adulteration or contamination or for nutritional analysis so we can gain information and data about saturated fats, sugars and salts that can be used to further educate business and consumers.

We assist in the work carried out by the Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust to educate consumers understand food labels, advise them where to find useful information and have a better understanding of how the food is produced. This information is also provided to school children at the requests of schools who wish to ensure their pupils lead a healthy lifestyle.

Further information on all the activity and work Northamptonshire Trading Standards carry out can be found at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/northants.

There are a full range of guidance notes available which should assist businesses comply with the law alternatively if you wish to speak to an officer please call 01604 707900 during our office opening hours 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday.

For consumers wishing to seek advice or make a complaint please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 they can be contacted by telephone from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday, alternatively their website can be viewed at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

NHS Northamptonshire
NHS Northamptonshire is the local leader for the National Health Service in Northamptonshire. We are dedicated to providing the best possible healthcare services for nearly 700,000 people living in the county. These services include local GP's, pharmacists, dentists, hospitals and specialist care.

Our vision:
Reduce the overall mortality rate, adding years to life. Help people live healthier lives and improve their wellbeing, adding life to years. Improve patient satisfaction with NHS services.

NHS website: http://www.northamptonshire.nhs.uk

PCT Website: http://www.northamptonshire.nhs.uk/PCT/index.htm

Useful Links

< Caroline Walker Trust

< School Food Trust

< Food Standard Agency - Eat Well Be Well

< Food Standard Agency – Guidance on Food Served to Older People in Residential Care

< Food Vision

Further Information

If you require further information about the Heartbeat Award or are interested in nominating an establishment you feel deserves to know about this award please contact the Environmental Health Department of your local District or Borough Council.