Advice on Healthy Eating
Government Guidelines for the Caterer
As a caterer I am subject (and rightly so) to spot checks and detailed inspections by the local Food Standards Agency. Every day we make and record temperature checks, safety checks, food labelling and rotation checks, cleaing schedule checks, you name it-we check and sign it. I am all for it, the more safety measures enforced on the caterer the safer it is not just for the customer but the caterer as well.
So today I received my latest communication from the local council. I am told a butcher in Wales has been jailed for an outbreak of E.coli and unpasteurised cheese has caused salmonella in the south of the county. Another paragraph tells me that if I sell food which has gone past its sell-by date I should check that it hasn’t turned rancid or mouldy. I shall refrain from comment.
Finally, I am told that ’almost 24 million adults in the UK are overweight and obese and if this trend continues, by 2010 one in four of us will be classed as obese’. It goes on to say that by offering healthier choices on my menus I can help combat lung cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
But how can I help? They tell me! First of all I am to make more tomato based sauces, then I should put more vegetables and less meat in my pies and give them vegetables, salad and bread in with the price of the main meal. Best of all, I am to buy thicker bread for sandwiches, use less ’spread’ and more salad! By the way, don’t season anything with salt!
How I am supposed to make sandwiches for our guests without my jar of Princess Beef Spread I don’t know. What I do know is that if I turn our fine dining restaurant into Champneys carrot and celery bar or rip our customers off with thick bread and cheap filling, or serve food with no seasoning then I’ll be out of a job.
My pinch of salt in the fish veloute sauce which is finished with a tablespoon of cream which you eat in my restaurant once a year isn’t going to make you obese. A disciplined approach to our eating and drinking habits begins and ultimately ends at home, everyone has a choice. I walk past the burger joint and into the sandwich shop for a wholemeal turkey sandwich, no crisps or fizzy drink. Quite simple really.
Watch this space for the next government ‘think tank’ which spends millions of the taxpayers money to arrive at the conclusion that eating an apple is better for you than a packet of crisps.
This was a party political broadcast by the common sense movement.
Miles,
You must really look forward to these inspections. Did you offer green tea and a low fat biscuit?
Last night I made an old fashioned bread pudding which I slice into narrow bars and feed to my builders. The sugar content is about 3oz for the whole thing and about 2oz butter. Cut into about 15 bars that doesn’t seem too bad and lots of fibre.
Cid
November 22, 2007 @ 11:14 am
I am told that almost 24 million adults in the UK are overweight
Don’t get me started !
Restaurants don’t make peope fat !
How many of those 24 million can afford to eat at a restaurant every night ?
The problem is, they are sat on their expanding rears eating chocolate and crisps watching TV programmes on how to lose weight or look good in a size 16+ dress …
Sorry I promised myself not to rant
November 22, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Cid,
I am sure your builders really appreciated the low sugar content!!
Miles
November 22, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
Rod,
When are we going to be more honest about all of this? ‘Around the houses’ springs to mind.
Miles
November 22, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Cid,
What did I say? A “sandwich course”
November 22, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Miles,
Well said and so say all of us!
Mind you, whatelse can we expect these days? We have been told how to not discipline children, how to be PC,
about everyone’s human rights (except those of victims), what to eat and drink and: Just look around you!
I trust that you all signed and noted the content of the communication and duly “filed” it.
November 22, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Miles,
Re my bread pudding slices … some have said they have a mild laxative affect, subsequently unlikely to stay in the system for long
so perhaps I should rename them ‘cleansing bars’. A complimentary bar served to each customer after every meal should satisfy the government officials!
Cid
November 22, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
Cid,
Please, Please, Please serve them next tuesday-I beg you.
Miles
November 22, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
Miles,
Now that is a good idea - the Tuesday Loiterers look like a delicate lot but deep down they’re as tough as old boots. I shall serve it with a side order of figs
Cid
November 22, 2007 @ 7:52 pm