Scottish food outlets are being encouraged to sign up to a new healthy eating award.
The Healthyliving Award, launched by the Scottish Consumer Council and the Scottish Executive, recognises caterers that provide healthier menu options.
Claire Brown, project manager of the award, has been encouraged by the way caterers have engaged in the project. "Many have backed the scheme to gain national recognition for their efforts in improving the health of Scots," she said.
Caterers must meet key criteria, which include a commitment to healthier eating. This must be demonstrated in menu selection, food preparation, marketing and the way food is presented and sold.
Almond Catering received the award for offering healthier food to 1,100 staff at a workplace restaurant in Edinburgh.
General manager at the company's contract at Registrars of Scotland, Suzi Player, said: "There is heightened customer awareness of healthy options and, when employees see the Healthyliving logo, they know they are choosing healthier options which aren't full of fat, sugar or salt."
Encore Creative Catering has also won the award for introducing healthier options at Glasgow's Metropolitan College.
Theresa Shanklin, the catering manager at the college, which teaches catering and food technology, said: "When people see the logo, they know we have made efforts to reduce additives like fat and salt. They appreciate it's possible to be healthy when you eat out."
The scheme covers all outlets that serve food.
By Andy Moore