Ann Sargent, a member of South Ayrshire Council’s catering staff, who prepare lunches in the kitchen at Dalmilling Primary School, was the 1000th person to successfully complete the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) Elementary Food and Health course.

The course was developed in a partnership between REHIS, the Scottish Government, the Healthy Living Award, NHS Health Scotland, the Food Standards Agency Scotland and Community Food and Health (Scotland).

Council catering staff have been attending the course to gain a better understanding of the relationship between food and health.  The course provides nutritional information to people working in a wide range of catering outlets from staff canteens, schools, nurseries and community groups to restaurants and café bars.

REHIS President, Bernard Forteath, who presented the award, said:  “30 million meals are served away from home every day in the UK and this is a new educational approach aimed at raising awareness about healthier food choices, the preparation and provision of meals which offer a balanced diet, and promoting healthier eating habits.”

“The course is aimed at everyone involved in food and health and food preparation – from those who prepare infants’ snacks in nurseries to commercial caterers.”

The ceremony was attended by Councillor Pam Paterson, the Convener of the Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee, Bernard Forteath, REHIS President, Graham Walker, Director of Training from REHIS, Jennifer Howie, Foods Standards Agency Scotland, Bill Gray, Community Food and Health (Scotland) and Yvonne Traynor from the Health Living Award along with other Council catering staff.

Councillor Pam Paterson said:  “It is important that Council staff who are responsible for preparing and serving food receive appropriate training.

“The knowledge gained by staff on the REHIS course will help them to meet the standards necessary when working on initiatives such as Hungry for Success, which aims to ensure that interesting nutritional food that appeals to people is delivered within Council premises.

“Getting everyone to adopt healthy eating habits is very important, especially in schools, where children are encouraged to make sensible choices and eat healthily.  If good eating habits can be established at a young age then it is more likely that these children will grow up to be healthy eaters.”

Developed in conjunction with the Scottish Government, the Healthy Living Award, NHS Health Scotland, the Food Standards Agency Scotland and the Community Food and Health (Scotland) the course covers:

• Basic nutrition and eating for health.
• The relationship between food and wellbeing.
• Making appropriate quantitative and qualitative dietary changes.

The course consists of five modules:

• A general introduction.
• The function of food.
• Energy measures and influences on food intake.
• Eating for health and wellbeing.
• Putting it all together - Action Planning.

At the end of the course each participant sits an exam and receive a REHIS Elementary Food and Health Certificate if they pass.

December 2006