Norwich City Council is now promoting food businesses that provide additional health related benefits to consumers through a system of food business merits that the business can apply for. The businesses are promoted in the food hygiene ratings list provided they meet the merit criteria.
The Healthier Options Norfolk Award (HONor)
The award promotes healthy eating by awarding caterers who provide healthier options on their menus with the HONor award. For more information and a list of who has received the award, visit the HONor page.
Breastfeeding friendly caterers
Caterers are also encouraged to adopt a policy of welcoming breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding has a positive impact on health and well being in childhood and later life. If your business would like to apply to be promoted as “breastfeeding friendly” on our website, please download and complete the 
self-assessment form (breastfeeding friendly) (104 Kb pdf) and return a copy to the food safety team manager at the address shown on the form.
If you would like to know more about the benefits of breastfeeding, please visit the UK Baby Friendly Initiative UNICEF website.
For a list of Norwich caterers who welcome breastfeeding mothers check our hygiene rating page .
Caterers sourcing food locally
By sourcing food locally, caterers can reduce the environmental impact of their business. Agriculture and food now account for nearly 30 per cent of goods transported on our roads. This travel adds substantially to the carbon dioxide emissions that are contributing to climate change.
This merit is awarded to businesses that can show that they source at least five products from within East Anglia. If you would like your catering business to be promoted as “sourcing food locally” you must have a food hygiene rating of 3 or better and complete the self-assessment form (local food) (116 Kb pdf). Please send this to the address shown on the form.
Disabled access and toilets
This merit acknowledges those businesses that provide wheelchair access and disabled persons' toilet facilities. These businesses will also have demonstrated an understanding of the needs of disabled people and those who are visually impaired or hard of hearing and have been encouraged to complete a self-assessment form. During inspections food safety officers will be looking to see that businesses have acted on the findings of their assessment and may remove the merit if standards have fallen.
Businesses wishing to apply for a disabled access merit should complete the self-assessment form (disabled access) (108 Kb pdf) and return a copy to the food safety team manager at the address shown on the form. You can check to see if your toilet complies with approved document M of the building regulations, on the Planning Portal website.
Norwich Access Group The Norwich Access Group actively tries to improve access for disabled people in all aspects of life in the city of Norwich and the surrounding area. Click to find out more about the group or visit the Norwich Access Group website.
The nationwide access register This nationwide directory website www.directenquiries.com provides information on the accessibility of many shops and businesses throughout the country.