Transforming Hospital Food Standards for the Better

It’s pretty obvious that nobody looks forward to a hospital stay, no matter how short it may be – and the notoriously bland hospital food doesn’t do much to cheer people up. Recent stats show that unsatisfactory hospital meals are not only affecting patients but also have a significant environmental impact, which is rather off-putting.

Every year, NHS hospitals in the UK serve about 300 million meals to patients. This means that buying and preparing food incurs a considerable cost. Shockingly, about 10% of these meals – that’s 30 million – end up uneaten and tossed out annually. Clearly, a lot of resources are being wasted. The Campaign for Better Hospital Food is pushing for the UK Government to set mandatory standards for hospital meals to address this problem.

To ensure better standards for hospital food, the campaign focuses on the following key areas:

**Kitchen Standards**
Currently, only 40% of hospitals cook meals from scratch and serve them fresh. The rest rely on pre-made, reheated meals that are less nutritious and less appealing. Encouraging more hospitals to prepare fresh meals could reduce food waste significantly.

**Health Standards**
The campaign is urging the government to mandate that hospitals serve healthy, nutritious food that will help patients recover more effectively. They also recommend offering healthier options for visitors and staff.

**Animal Welfare & Fish Standards**
The campaign insists that hospitals should use meat, dairy, and eggs that meet humane standards. This means using free-range eggs and meat that complies with RSPCA welfare standards. Additionally, any fish used should be sustainably sourced.

**Environmental & Fair Trade Standards**
Hospital food should be sourced and prepared in an eco-friendly, ethical manner. This includes ensuring fair trade practices, such as decent pay and good working conditions for the agricultural workers who produce the ingredients.

**Support and Progress**
The campaign has gained support from numerous organizations across the UK, including the British Heart Foundation, the Health Education Trust, the Marine Stewardship Council, the RSPCA, and the World Wildlife Fund. In response, the Department of Health released a new set of rules and principles in October aimed at improving the quality of hospital food throughout the country.