A COFFEE shop in Cradley Heath is one of five borough eateries to be recognised by Sandwell Council for offering healthier food options to their customers.

Captain Café, in Halesowen Road, has received a national bronze ‘Eat Out Eat Well’ award for increasing fruit, vegetable and starchy carbohydrates on their menus, and decreasing fat, especially saturated fat, sugar and salt.

The scheme is open to caterers, takeaways and other food retailers that have a good food hygiene rating and are complaint with food standards.

The level of the award – bronze, silver or gold – is based on a scoring system that takes into account the type of food on offer, cooking methods, provision of healthier meals for children and how the meals are promoted customers.

A platinum level is also available to larger organisations which meet government buying standards.

Abbas Abbas, café owner, said: “I am very honoured and proud to receive this award for Captain Café.

“The Eat Out Eat Well scheme, gives food businesses an opportunity to promote healthy eating to our communities and to offer our customers a healthier choice of food.”

Eat it Fresh in Pound Road, Oldbury, has also been given a bronze award.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for public health and protection, who presented the awards, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the winners of this new award for Sandwell.

“A lot of us enjoy eating out, but it can sometimes be a struggle to find healthier alternative eating options.

“We’re all becoming more aware of the contribution that a healthier diet can make towards reducing some diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

“These awards are a great way of recognising and raising awareness of the businesses that are making that extra effort to provide us with tasty and healthier options.”