This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish food at heart of healthy diet
21/06/2002
The message that good quality, affordable Scottish food
should be an essential part of a healthy diet was
demonstrated today by celebrity chef Nick Nairn at the
Royal Highland Show.
He joined forces with Environment and Rural Development
Minister Ross Finnie and Deputy Health Minister Mary
Mulligan to lead a practical demonstration using quality
Scottish ingredients at an Executive-sponsored stand to
promote the Scottish Diet Action Plan
Eating for Health. The Executive's Food and Health
Co-ordinator was also present.
Mary Mulligan commented:
"The Executive is committed to getting across the
message that the healthy choice is the easy choice, and
that Scottish food is not all about deep-fried Mars Bars
and chip butties. Here in Scotland we have some excellent
local produce - from Scottish salmon to home-grown fruit
and vegetables - foods which can make an important
contribution to a healthy, well-balanced diet.
"The Royal Highland Show is an excellent opportunity to
present the health improvement agenda to both the food
industry and the public and acknowledge the role each of us
can play in achieving a healthy Scotland."
Ross Finnie added:
"Top quality food is being produced in Scotland, and I
have seen excellent examples here at the Show. The
Executive, working closely with the Scottish food industry,
is committed to taking it from the stalls to the shops and
supermarkets across Scotland and promoting the healthy
eating message."
The Scottish Executive Health Department is hosting a
stand at the show which aims to promote healthy eating and
showcase the work the Executive in implementing the
Scottish Diet Action Plan,
Eating for Health. Nick Nairn and Wendy Barrie, a
professional in this field, will be showing that Scottish
produce can contribute to a healthy diet by leading
practical cooking demonstrations.
The diet action plan receives £1 million per annum, plus
share of the
Health Improvement Fund. It provides a framework in
which everyone with an influence over what we eat, such as
food producers and processors, the NHS, local authorities,
schools,caterers, retailers, consumer organisations, the
voluntary sector, the media and, consumers, can work
together to improve the Scottish diet. It also promotes
includes 'joined up' thinking across the Executive with all
departments working together to implement the plan.