Hospitals to slash sugar in favour of healthy snacks

In an effort to encourage healthy eating, shops and cafés at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, and the Princess Royal Hospital, in Haywards Heath, are already reducing the sugary drinks and snacks on offer.

The healthy food goals for 2018-19 are for 80 per cent of drinks to be sugar-free, with less than five grams of sugar per 100ml, and confectionery at fewer than 250 calories.

And at least 75 per cent of pre-packed sandwiches and meals should contain 400 calories or less per serving and less than 5g of saturated fat.

So far the hospital has banned all promotion and advertising of sugary drinks and foods high in fat, sugar and salt.

Currently 70 per cent of drinks are sugar-free, 60 per cent of confectionery has fewer than 250 calories and 60 per cent of pre-packed sandwiches and meals have fewer than 400 calories.

To keep up with the requirements, chocolate and crisp ranges have been reduced in shops.

Subway South Coast has committed to ending price promotions on unhealthy foods.

Compass, which operates the Costa Café, WH Smith and the Royal Voluntary Service have all signed action plans to keep up with the changes.