Unilever’s ‘Ambu-lunch’ roadshow spreads the word about cutting calories

‘Ambu-lunch’, a converted ambulance complete with working restaurant, ended its national tour of England last week visiting students in Westminster, Birmingham and Leeds.

As part of a campaign to tackle Britain's obesity problem, and to help meet Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's national target to reduce 'five billion calories a day' from consumers' diets, the 'Ambu-lunch' created by Unilever Food Solutions will educate the next generation of chefs in some of the most obese cities around the country.

Lansley, who attended the launch of 'Ambu-lunch' outside the Houses of Parliament, said: "Eating and drinking too many calories is at the heart of the nation's obesity problem. We all have a role to play if we are going to cut five billion calories from our national diet each day, including making it possible to eat the meals we enjoy with fewer calories in them.

"The 'Ambu-lunch' activity is just one of the ways the foodservice industry is helping to achieve this. As it sets out on a nationwide tour, I would encourage everyone to get involved."

Matthew Chard, a catering student from Westminster Kingsway College, said: "I think it's important to learn about the small changes I can make to a dish, especially when obesity is such huge problem. As the future of the foodservice industry, I know the impact I can have and I want to help."

The campaign follows Unilever's research, which found that chefs could significantly improve the health of the nation by reducing just 24 calories per meal.

Words: Sheila Eggleston

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