Bracknell

More than 35 caterers from across Bracknell Forest have been presented with safe food and catering for health awards.

In a ceremony held earlier this month at South Hill Park Arts Centre by Bracknell Council’s environmental health team, seven caterers won gold in the Berkshire Safe Food Awards. Ten caterers were awarded silver and 22 bronze. The awards were presented by Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection.

There were four caterers who also won the Catering for Health Award, and the traders were given more information on the awards by NHS Public Health Dietician Jacqui Copp.

The awards are open to any catering business in Berkshire, including restaurants, take-aways, canteens, schools, pubs, sandwich shops and mobile caterers. Bracknell Forest's winners were assessed by the Council's environmental health officers during routine inspections without any advance warning.

They were assessed under categories of food hygiene training, their food safety systems, confidence in management and adequacy of their food handling practices and facilities. The Catering for Health Award is assessed jointly with Berkshire East Primary Care Trust and recognises healthy menu choices.

All winners are encouraged to display their certificates in prominent customer view. The awards remain valid until the premises' next routine inspection – in most cases this is between 18 months and two years. However, if standards are found to have fallen, the award can be withdrawn.

David Steeds, Head of Bracknell Environmental Health and Safety, said: "Working with food businesses and Berkshire East PCT to ensure the health of residents and visitors is very important to the Council.

"These awards mean we can recognise the achievement of catering businesses in maintaining excellent standards of hygiene and to encourage further improvement.”

Cllr McCracken said: "These awards can reassure residents that the businesses we use every day are offering us safe and healthy food which we can all enjoy.

"I would like to thank and congratulate all these traders for proving in unannounced tests that they are among the best caterers in Berkshire.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council