The Soil Association Scotland says the changes have been developed with caterers, to reflect the environment in which you work, so the sector can contribute to making Scotland a Good Food Nation.
Sarah Duley, co-director of Soil Association Scotland, said: “We firmly believe in the Food for Life Served Here certification as a framework through which Scotland’s caterers can make a difference, by providing food that’s better for climate, nature and health, while also supporting the local economy.
“We’re pleased to have concluded this first full review of the Food for Life Served Here bronze standards since they were originally launched more than 15 years ago, ensuring the standards remain relevant and useful, and continue to recognise and celebrate great practice in sustainable catering.
“We continue to be inspired by your work providing nourishing, healthy and sustainable meals in Scotland’s schools and the wider public sector, and by your commitment to achieving the Food for Life Served Here certification year on year.”
The Soil Association are removing the requirement for caterers in Scottish schools and early years settings to demonstrate compliance with national food and drink standards to avoid duplication with legal requirements.
To better reflect caterers’ role, they now need to demonstrate that they are monitoring suppliers’ compliance with food safety standards, rather than demonstrating that their suppliers are compliant with the standards themselves.
The Soil Association has introduced categorisation for permitted foods within the ‘at least 75% of dishes are cooked from scratch’ standard to reduce ultra-processed foods on menus. The categories are ‘unprocessed or minimally processed food’ – frozen peas, ‘permitted convenience products’ – stock cubes and ‘highly processed products’ – pre-breaded fish.
The list of additives to avoid has been expanded to include Titanium Dioxide E171 and artificial sweeteners. Learn more about the standard refresh, visit here.
The following standards have been introduced:
- 1.3 – Prioritise serving more vegetables, pulses and vegetarian meals
- 1.11 – Food waste reduction strategies are in place
The following standards have been removed:
- 1.7 – Drinking water
- 1.10 – Dietary and Cultural Needs
The Soil Association has made amendments to the silver and gold certification:
- 2.1.2. – Permitting RSPCA Assured pork and poultry as well as free range in standard
- 2.1.9 – Updating the points awarded to caterers using organic or certified sustainable palm oil, or who are avoiding it altogether in standard