Jamie Oliver praises council for healthy food

Oliver spoke before a House of Commons health select committee last week about health inequalities and the work he has put in to raise the profile of healthy eating. Oliver told MPs: "If you take an incredible council that was incredible six or seven years ago, like South Gloucestershire, I can look you in the eye and say Kay Knight [who oversees catering at the council] made that special, inspiring her team made that special." In 2007 the council received a Beacon award for healthy schools, which promotes children being healthy in schools, including healthy eating, with all schools in the district being involved. Councillor Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: "In South Gloucestershire, the health of our young people is not an area for compromise, so we are delighted to get this recognition. Using good quality local suppliers for the food we serve to our pupils is something we take very seriously." A special multi-cultural menu will be launched shortly in schools, so pupils can learn about other cultures, and the types of food that different ethnic groups eat. The council uses local organic suppliers for many products, including meat and vegetables. In addition, Oliver also called on councils to take harder sanctions on fast-food outlets and keep them under control. He also added that he is in favour of the red, amber and green traffic light nutrition labelling system seen on most food packaging.