The British Cheese Board unveils website

             The British Cheese Board unveils website

The British Cheese Board (BCB) has unveiled its new website this week, designed to provide you with everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cheese.

Including new and modern imagery, the BCB website is easy to use and provides users with a wealth of information on a range of home produced cheese and British cheesemakers.  There’s a huge range of recipe ideas that suit every occasion, including healthier eating options.

The new site also includes a section for teachers where they can download teaching packs created for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 students.  There’s also a specific section for children and parents, offering lots of interesting cheese facts and downloadable activity sheets for children to learn about cheese whilst having fun.

Nigel White, Secretary of the British Cheese Board commenting on the new website said: “With the ever increasing use of the internet as a source of information we felt that it was important to provide an enhanced web site giving detailed, easy access on everything to do with our members cheese.”

The new website can be found on: www.britishcheese.com

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For further information please contact: Sarah Tadier or Mollie Whichello on 0207 025 7500, or email Sarah.Tadier@trimediauk.com/ Mollie.Whichello@trimediauk.com  

Notes to Editors

Cheese has been part of the British diet for centuries. Virtually every household in the UK buys cheese and in a recent British Cheese Board survey 65% of adult respondents said that cheese is one of their favourite foods.  Not only do we enjoy it, but it is also a nutrient dense food and as part of a balanced diet can help provide significant proportions of the essential nutrients required for good health.  From the same survey 59% of respondents believe it is one of the most nutritious foods you can give to children.

Cheese is one of the best sources of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong teeth and healthy bones.

·     A matchbox sized portion of Cheddar (15g) contains 110mg of calcium (just over 30% of the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for 1-3 year olds, 19% for 7-10 year olds and over 15% for most adults.

·     Cheese is one of the most concentrated and most easily absorbed sources of calcium. A calcium rich diet together with load bearing exercise plays an important role in helping to reduce the risk and symptoms of osteoporosis, a painful and debilitating disease.

·     Cheese is also an excellent source of protein, essential for building and maintaining all of the body's structures (such as muscles, bones and teeth). A 15g portion of cheddar provides 13% of the RNI for 7-10 year olds.

·     Cheese is also a source of saturated fat and government recommends that for most individuals intake of saturated fat should be reduced so that it accounts for 11% of food calories.  For that reason, the British Cheese Board accepts the FSA recommendation that cheese should be eaten in moderation as part of a healthy balanced diet.

·     Cheese is a primary source of vitamin A, which plays a vital role in vision, bone growth, cell division and the immune system due to its antioxidant properties.  A 15g portion of Cheddar contributes 11% of the RNI for 7 -10 yr olds.

·     Other key nutrients found in cheese include; Vitamin B 12 , which is crucial for red blood cell formation, maintaining the nervous system and protein metabolism; Vitamin D, which helps the absorption of calcium and the way it is used by the body, particularly in ensuring strong bones and teeth.

·     Chewing a piece of cheese after sugary snacks and after meals can help remineralise tooth enamel and protect against tooth decay.  A spokesperson for the British Dental Health Foundation advises people to follow fruit with 'a piece of cheese which will help neutralise the acid.'

·     As a natural food source, cheese is one of nature's most complete foods.

·     Cheese is so versatile that it can be enjoyed as it is, with a snack or incorporated into many different recipes - sweet and savoury.

·     Cheese is delicious and with over 700 named cheeses now being produced in the UK alone there is a wealth of new taste experiences to be enjoyed.

The British Cheese Board (BCB) (www.britishcheese.com)

The British Cheese Board aims to increase awareness of cheese in the UK, and British cheese in particular as part of a healthy diet.

·     Cheese is one of nature's most complete foods

·     It contains essential nutrients – fat, protein, vitamins, calcium and other minerals

·     It is a natural food source made from milk with the addition of salt which acts as a preservative

·     It is versatile  and can be eat hot or cold any time of the day

There are over 700 named British cheeses available, with a British cheese for every occasion.  The British Cheese Board’s members account for a large proportion of cheese produced in the UK.  The work of the BCB is also supported by associate members who are involved in the cheese supply chain.