Contract caterer Compass Group makes healthy step for consumers

Compass purchases over 25 million litres of milk every year and in the past five months 1% milk - which is offered in the most popular milk formats from 250ml bottles right up to 13.6 litre milk dispensers - has seen a continual growth in consumption. Between July and August for example, the amount of Compass sites using 1% milk has more than doubled and since its introduction in February, 1% milk has seen a fivefold increase in unit sales. 1% milk contains 41% less total and saturated fat than standard semi-skimmed milk, and has a higher calcium content. Mick Hickman, foodservice director at Compass Group UK & Ireland, commented: "The availability and promotion of 1% milk across our sites is just one of the steps we are taking to help our customers make healthy choices and showcases how the business is embracing the Responsibility Deal pledges. "In addition we are developing a whole new range of healthy promotions for our sites and rolling out new initiatives due to be launched in the next few months." In addition, Compass has analysed over 2000 recipes to ensure accurate nutritional information in the form of guideline daily amounts (GDAs) can be provided to customers. Over 4000 product specifications are also being reviewed to ensure all artificial trans fats from the food served are removed by the end of 2011 and that the company is able to ensure it meets, if not exceeds, the salt reduction targets set.