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More than enough on our plates: Tackling the obesity crisis by shrinking fish and chips

A smaller portion of fish and chips has been embraced by takeaway owners and customers, new research has found and may well be healthier for us.

Experts from Fuse, The Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, worked with independent fish and chip supplier, Henry Colbeck to see whether people could be encouraged to eat a healthier size portion. The work led to the development of the Lite-BITE® box. Its smaller dimensions ensures a smaller portion of fish and chips coming close to 600 calories compared to an average fish and chip meal containing over 1,600 calories. Henry Colbeck supplies fish and chip shops with Frozen-at-Sea fish, frozen foods, frying oils and packaging to over 2,500 fish and chip shops in the North of England and Scotland. Together with the academic team, they wanted to reduce obesity levels in the UK but decided they needed to tackle it in a different way by offering their customers a smaller portion size to consumers.

The work is published in BMJ Open by researchers from Fuse, which is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Public Health Research (SPHR). Fuse is a partnership between the five North East universities and academics from Newcastle, º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and Durham, as well as Cambridge, worked on this particular study.

The research describes how takeaway owners were supported with a three hour session which highlighted the problem of excessive portion sizes, customers’ desire to be more health conscious and have smaller meals. They were also supplied with promotional posters and business incentives of free packaging and customer loyalty points.

Encouraged by the findings, Henry Colbeck came up with the Lite-BITE® box to ensure a smaller portion meal that’s closer to 600 kcal. Lead author Louis Goffe, Research Associate at Newcastle University and member of Fuse, The Centre for Translational Research said: ‘I love fish and chips and this research aims to find a way that we can have our fish and chip treat - but less of it.

‘We focussed on coming up with a solution which provides a healthier meal option but equally importantly works for the fish and chip shop owners. The sales show that there is a demand for smaller portion meals and we hope this will act as a template for others in the fast-food sector to follow.’

Amelia Lake, a Reader in Public Health Nutrition at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and Associate Director of Fuse, also worked on the study.

She said: ‘This is a really good example of how we can work with industry and businesses to create healthier eating options for everyone.

‘With these smaller portion sizes, there are health benefits and the businesses were happy because customers wanted to have smaller portion sizes.’

Jackie Pearson, Head of Marketing at Henry Colbeck Limited said: ‘The Lite-BITE® boxes have been hugely popular and sales have continued to grow with over 250 shops now using the boxes and buying over 700,000 in the last year.

‘We have national coverage to the UK fish and chip market through our two sister companies, Friar's Pride and VA Whitley. Combined, we have sold 12,000 cases of Lite-BITE boxes in 2018 which equates to 12,000,000 boxes.’

A 600 calorie meal fits within Government nutritional guidelines for meal sizes and a meal of 5oz fish and 5oz of chips, fried in vegetable oil, is around 650 calories.

The research describes through sales, secret-shopper, customer surveys and interviews completed with 12 participating fish and chip shops that customers happily purchased the smaller portions and takeaway owners were happy to sell them.

Louis Goffe added: 'The independent takeaway sector is one of the most challenging food sectors to work with to make changes. This research emphasises the importance of working with wholesale suppliers, who have a strong relationship with traders, to improve the health benefits of hot food takeaways – and Henry Colbeck have taken a lead in that, understanding the changing market and giving customers what they want, a lighter meal.'

• Public health
• Fuse