Greasy roadside snack vans ‘must offer at least one healthy option or face being closed’
UK Daily Mail
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008
Greasy roadside takeaways serving motorists burgers and chips will be shut down if they fail to offer new healthier alternatives, under new rules revealed today.
The snack vans, often found in busy lay-bys, must now offer soup, salads or low fat yogurts with their artery-clogging kebabs.
They must also limit the amount of mayonnaise served – because it has been branded a ‘very high fat product’.
Environmental health officers will inspect menus during routine hygiene checks.
And traders who fail to meet the strict new standards in Guildford, Surrey, will be refused a street trader’s licence when it comes up for renewal each year.
Councillors at Guildford Borough Council this week reviewed their street traders policy for the first time in seven years and insisted every menu has at least one healthy option.
The list of recommended food includes low fat grilled sausage with wholemeal bread, chilli con carne with lean mince and jacket potato with a selection of fillings.
A report to the council’s licensing committee said: ‘In accordance with the council’s health promotion programme, it is recommended that at least one healthy meal choice be provided for customers.’
The report added: ‘It is important that the use of mayonnaise is limited since this is a very high fat product.
