Consultation
Minimum nutritional standards for catering in health and social care
The Public Health Agency, safefood and the Food Standards Agency have jointly produced minimum nutritional standards for catering in the Health and Social Care sector.
This consultation is seeking stakeholders’ views on the standards and to identify any challenges to their implementation.
About this consultation
Consultation target audience
The Public Health Agency, Food Standards Agency and safefood have jointly produced minimum nutritional standards for catering in the Health and Social Care sector. They will be of interest to staff involved in food contract specifications, procurement and menu planning. They will also be of interest to food service and catering suppliers that supply this sector.
Subject of this consultation
Minimum nutritional standards for catering in Health and Social Care have been developed as part of the implementation of A Fitter Future for All 2012-22 (the regional obesity prevention strategy). Food provision within Health and Social Care settings has been highlighted as an important area for development, both in terms of food provided to patients and clients throughout healthcare facilities, and in leading system change and modelling good practice that will improve standards across Northern Ireland, helping to shift the norm of food offerings so that they become healthier. The standards will apply to all facilities that serve food and/or beverages to staff and visitors operating within Health and Social Care settings including catering facilities as well as private retail and vending machines. It is planned that they should be adhered to when food contracts are being specified in the procurement process and should also be applied when planning menus.
Purpose of this consultation
To seek stakeholders’ views on the standards and to identify any challenges to their implementation across all facilities that serves food and/or beverages to staff and visitors operating within Health and Social Care settings.
Consultation pack
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Publication of response summary
Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.
You can find information on how we handle data provided in response to consultations in our Consultations privacy notice.
Further information
This consultation has been prepared in accordance with HM Government Consultation Principles (Opens in a new window). If an Impact Assessment has been produced, this is included in the consultation documents. If no Impact Assessment has been provided, the reason will be given in the consultation document.