Healthier eating kite mark for NHS canteens
Published: 08 July 2008
A voluntary kite mark being developed for public sector canteens that encourage healthier eating will be piloted in the NHS, HM Prison Service and central government staff canteens.
In “ Food Matters - Towards a strategy for the 21st Century”, the Government says it wants to support the public sector to lead the way in healthy eating by providing healthier food in their canteens. The kite mark will indicate those canteens who meet set criteria including the design of menus, portion sizes, and the use of ingredients lower in saturated fat, salt and added sugar.
The RCN has campaigned to raise standards of nutrition and hydration in hospitals and the community, arguing that these are as vital as medication and other types of treatment. The recent “Nutrition Now” campaign gave members the practical tools, support and evidence they need to make nutrition a priority in their area of work.
The Department of Health states that around one million meals are served to NHS patients and staff every day.
Further information
Food Matters - Towards a strategy for the 21st Century is available on the Cabinet Office website: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information on the RCN’s Nutrition Now campaign can be found in the campaigns area of the website: www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/campaigns/nutritionnow