NEW HEALTHY FOOD GUIDELINES FOR VICTORIAN HOSPITALS
Victorian public hospitals have been asked to support new guidelines for the provision of healthy food and drink to visitors, staff and the general public.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Victorian public hospitals have been asked to support new guidelines for the provision of healthy food and drink to visitors, staff and the general public.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the draft guidelines, which have been sent to health services this week for consultation, would encourage hospitals to provide visitors and staff with a wider range of healthy food options.
“Everyone who buys food from canteens, cafes and vending machines in our health services should have access to a range of healthy choices,” Mr Andrews said.
“This is about choice - giving families the choice to eat a healthy and nutritious meal or snack when they're visiting relatives in hospital.
“In the draft guidelines sent to all Victorian Public Health Services, food and drink has been classified into three categories according to nutritional value, using the green, amber and red traffic light system.
"The guiding principle is to improve the availability and promotion of healthy food choices and limit the supply and promotion of less-healthy options to no more than 20 per cent of the items offered for purchase. These guidelines will help hospitals work towards increasing the display of healthier food and drink options in their canteens, retail outlets and in vending machines.
“Hospitals can play a positive role promoting healthy and active lifestyles and it remains a commitment of the Brumby Labor Government for public facilities to demonstrate leadership in the promotion of health and wellbeing in the community.”
Mr Andrews said the guidelines would not apply to fundraising activities, catering at meetings and functions or foods and/or drinks that staff bring from home.
Health services have been asked to provide information on existing initiatives to support healthy food and drink choices and any difficulties in adopting the new guidelines, as part of consultations to inform the final guidelines.
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action to increase the consumption of nutritious food, increase levels of physical activity and encourage structural changes to support healthier environments.
“As part of the Go for your life initiative, we are committed to providing guidelines for public hospitals to increase healthy food and drink choices available for purchase by staff, visitors and the general public,” he said.
The guidelines will not apply to inpatient, client and/or aged-care resident meals. Hospital inpatient menu items are guided by the Department of Health’s Nutrition Standards for Menu Items in Victorian Hospitals and Residential Aged Care Facilities.
It is expected the final guidelines will be released in March next year.
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