Magazine 4
<form action="paypal" method="post" name="paypalFrm" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr">
<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">
<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="2">
<input type="image" src="http://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-but01.gif" name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!">
</form>
UK Food industry urged to reduce calories by 2024
The UK government has urged restaurants, takeaways and ready meal providers to reduce the number of calories in their food by 20% before 2024, in an effort to tackle obesity. Clinical obesity is rising in the UK and is also leading Britons to suffer from various associated health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Public Health England have provided a list of targets for hospitality business owners to strive for. But health groups have argued these measures don’t go far enough and that the targets should be mandatory. A report commissioned by Public Health England (PHE) has revealed that by reducing sugar from fizzy drinks, the government has helped protect children from obesity.
There has also been progress when it comes to reducing calories in cereal, yoghurt and ice cream. However, PHE also revealed that progress across other food groups has been slower. Others argue that by making the program voluntary, it risks it being largely ignored by some manufacturers within the food industry.
Defending the government’s measures, health minister Jo Churchill said, “On sugar reduction, particularly in products like breakfast cereals, yogurts and ice cream, we have achieved some much-needed progress. This will make it easier for everyone to make healthier choices, but it’s clear more can be done.”
She went on to say, “Covid-19 has highlighted obesity and how important it is to tackle it. Our recent announcement of the obesity strategy includes world-leading measures, such as a TV watershed for advertising food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar, and consulting on how we can introduce a ban online. If more action is needed to support individuals to lead a healthy life, we will go further to help them.”
Graham MacGregor, who is the chairman of Action on Sugar, also felt like the government need to go further, saying, “Apart from the sugary drinks levy, it’s abundantly clear that the Government’s voluntary sugar reduction programme is simply not working, after reporting a dismal 0.1% reduction in sugar between 2018 and 2019.”
He continued, “Food and drink companies that want to do the right thing are crying out for a level playing field, which can only be achieved by setting mandatory targets for calorie and sugar reduction. The soft drinks levy has shown that this approach is both best for business, and best for everyone’s health, including people from more disadvantaged groups.”
Making the calorie reduction mandatory would help tackle obesity in the UK. It would also allow companies to indeed be on a ‘level playing field’, as all would need to abide by the same rules. Rather than cherry-pick the ones that suit them.
While beneficial, the move also raises questions about consumer choice when ordering food. Adults should have the right to eat whatever they choose, regardless of how healthy or unhealthy the ingredients may be. Although children may not understand the difference, so making such a rule mandatory on products intended for them makes sense.
The problem is, unless marketing campaigns specifically target children, how is anyone to say what unhealthy snacks are for any age group? All food can be consumed by all ages and enforcing laws based targeting by demographics does nothing to create consistency across the industry.
Finally, the move could cause irreparable damage to restaurants and manufacturers who offer particular food types. Reducing their menus to eliminate unhealthy food options or changing recipes altogether could risk some businesses going out of business. Many actually rely on this food to exist.
Some items are simply unhealthy and are designed to be an occasional treat. One where moderation is advised. The items they produce could be their main selling point. While reducing sugar and calories from these items may help tackle obesity, it could also leave many people without jobs in the long run.
Read more
Chef Oli Khan awarded MBE
The UKBCCI London Regional President Oli Khan has been honoured as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list and awarded with an MBE. Oli, a successful celebrity chef, was given this honour for his enormous contribution to the hospitality industry, as well as his charitable works throughout the COVID-19 pandemic at home and abroad.
Oli was recognised for his crucial role in supporting the community during the lockdown earlier this year. His MBE was awarded to recognise him as a business leader who went above and beyond when it came to helping others in crisis. He supported frontline staff by providing 5,000 free meals to NHS staff, care homes and valuable people during the pandemic.
The Luton based businessman and his team hold the Guinness World Record for cooking the world’s largest onion bhaji. The Guinness Book of Records logged the win on Tuesday 4th February 2020. The event took place at the East London Mosque, The London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel, East London.
He and the team from Surma Takeaway in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, created the gigantic Onion Bhaji, which weighed a heavy 175.6 kilograms. Breaking the previous world record held by Colin Burt from Bradford College winning by 73.4 kilograms.
Oli also achieved ‘Best Caterer of the Year 2010’ at the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA), an organisation that he used to be secretary general. He has also won the “Business Achievement Award” for being the ‘Best Achiever in the Business and Community Relations’ by Curry Life Business Awards 2014.
In his spare time Oli also finds time for other charitable works. He is the founder chairman of Oli’s Foundation which he established in 2002. Oli is well known in the Bangladeshi community and owns a restaurant, takeaway and property business. He has participated in the British Curry Festival in Bangladesh and India.
Commenting on about MBE, Oli Khan said: “I feel fantastic. It’s one of the biggest achievements we can attain from her majesty, so it’s such an honour.”
Oli is still helping his community now that a second lockdown has arrived. He’s also supplying free food to hungry children after being inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford’s comments about the helping those in need.
He told us, “The government are doing a lot to help people during the pandemic, but it was wrong of them to not help children during the holidays. They could have done more here. These children could grow up to become part of the government one day, what lesson will they learn when they look back on this story?”
After learning of the government’s refusal to help, Oli felt compelled to step in and support children in his local area during the holidays. He did so by supplying them with over 2000 free meals. Something he plans on doing as long as children need food in the holidays.
Read more