Sugary drinks to be banned from NHS hospitals

Sugary drinks will be banned from sale across NHS hospitals in England from July, NHS England has announced.

NHS England released an updated contract for hospitals, which, for the first time, included a clause prohibiting the sale of sweetened beverages.

Retailers including Marks & Spencer, WH Smiths and Subway had already agreed to cut sales of sweet drinks to 10 per cent of their output, but the new rule will stop outlets from selling the drinks at all.

It also means a ban for fizzy and sugary drinks in hundreds of NHS cafes and staff canteens.

England will be the second country in the world to introduce such a plan, after Portugal.

New rules will also heavily restrict the sale of any high calorie foods. From next April 60 per cent of sandwiches and pre-packed meals on sale in hospitals must contain a maximum of 400 calories per serving - rising to 75 per cent of cases a year later. And 60 per cent of sweets and chocolates sold must not exceed 250 calories - rising to 80 per cent by 2019.

Katherine Button, coordinator for Campaign for Better Hospital Food, said: “We welcome this move by NHS England to ban the sale of sugary drinks in our hospitals. Tooth extraction as a result of tooth decay is the most common cause for hospitalisation of children under five – putting unnecessary pressure on stretched NHS services. This bold leadership from NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens is exactly what we need to tackle these big health challenges.”