12 November 2007

Junk Food to be phased down across NSW Public Hospitals

NSW Health Minister, Reba Meagher, today announced soft drinks and foods high in sugar, fat and salt will be phased down in all food outlets and vending machines in NSW public hospitals, as part of increased efforts to tackle obesity. Ms Meagher said the new policy would apply to all food and drinks supplied to staff and the general public at vending machines, shops and cafeterias in the state's public hospitals and health facilities.

"The first stage of the policy's implementation will focus on commercial, ready-to-eat and pre-packaged food and drink products," Ms Meagher said.

"It will limit the amount of so-called 'Red' food and drinks high in saturated fats, sugar and salt sold at food outlets, shops and from vending machines to no more than 20 per cent by June 2009.

"Food and drinks prepared on-site for staff and visitors will be addressed in the second phase of the policy's implementation."

Ms Meagher said NSW public health facilities are well placed to model healthy eating for the broader community.

"If we are serious about tackling obesity then we have to practice what we preach," Ms Meagher said.

"We need to make it easier for people to eat healthy food by removing drinks and foods low in nutritional value from NSW public health facilities and replacing them with healthier choices.

"We have adopted a similar approach in NSW schools canteens - which has been highly successful - and hope to see similar results in our public health facilities."

Ms Meagher said under phase 1 of the policy, all NSW health facilities will be required to:

• Provide food and drinks to staff and visitors in line with the Nutrition Standard (limiting 'Red' food/drink to no more than 20 per cent)
• Adopt marketing strategies which promote healthier pre-packaged food and drink choices
• Incorporate selection criteria relating to the provision of healthier food and drinks in food service outlets
• Provide healthier food and drink choices to staff after hours, on weekends and on public holidays in line with the Nutrition Standard.

Ms Meagher said the new policy follows a selective review of food and drinks being sold in public hospitals and was developed in consultation with Area Health Service representatives and the relevant union bodies.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au