For a fourth consecutive year, HC3S has been awarded the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group Highest Award for Excellence for ensuring that around 70 additives, widely known as E-numbers, have been banished from primary school meals. By working closely with HACSG and suppliers, HC3S became the first local authority caterer to receive this award in 2005.

HACSG is a registered charity which has been successfully helping ADHD/Hyperactive children and their families for over 30 years and is Britain's leading supporter of a dietary approach to the problem of hyperactivity.

Research by the HACSG has shown that a high percentage of children diagnosed with hyperactivity had adverse reactions to artificial colourings and preservatives in food. Similar studies have also shown a strong link between additives and behavioural problems in children such as hyperactivity and allergic reactions. When these additives are removed from meals, research has shown that there is an improvement in children’s behaviour and concentration.

HC3S’s accreditation comes as new EU laws are agreed this summer that will require warning labels with the words ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’, to be put on all foods containing six food colours (E110, E104, E122, E129, E102 and E124) within the next 18 months. None of these additives are used in Hampshire primary school meals.

HC3S believes that this latest award from the HACSG is further proof that the County Council is leading the way when it comes to a committed approach to eliminating artificial additives in school meals.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber , said: “To receive this important award once again is an excellent achievement.

“It has long been recognised that a child’s diet not only affects their physical health but also impacts on their behaviour and concentration. Having already removed artificial colours and preservatives from Hampshire’s school meals ahead of the introduction of these new EU labelling laws, this is a clear indication of how the County Council is a forerunner in providing schoolchildren with tasty healthy eating options.”

The HACSG is delighted that Hampshire County Council has maintained its strong stance against the issue of additives, as part of its continuous school meals improvement programme. Nick Giovannelli, Awards Project Director for the HACSG said; “The HACSG applauds the efforts of HC3S and their commitment to the removal of unwanted additives from their school menus.

“By removing these ingredients, it has been shown that the behaviour of children can improve dramatically in the classroom.”

For more information on Hampshire school meals, visit http://www3.hants.gov.uk/caterers

and to see a list of the banned additives http://www3.hants.gov.uk/caterers/hc3s-food/hc3s-additives.htm

Information about the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group is available at http://www.hacsg.org.uk/

Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre Issued by: Suzie Southgate, Media Communications Officer, on 01962 847367