Jonathan Hilder

Critics say sugar ban in hospitals 'removes choice'

28th June 2010, 5:11pm

A decision by Welsh NHS chiefs to ban sugar from tea and coffee machines in the country's hospitals because it is a 'health risk' has been challenged by the head of the Automatic Vending Association (AVA).

Jonathan Hilder says: "There is no common sense (in this move). If you are going to A & E and you need a hot, sweet cup of tea you should be able to have one.

"By banning sugar all you are doing is moving the point of purchase which in turn means hospitals will receive less income and the chief users of the machines – staff - will have less choice."

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman was quoted as saying the NHS in Wales was "working to create an environment where it is easier for people to make healthy choices, particularly in our hospitals".

He told the Daily Post: "We have issued nutritional guidance to the NHS in Wales for vending machines. Hospitals are visited by a very broad cross-section of society and, as such, the whole hospital environment should reflect the importance of healthy living."

Hilder suggests the introduction of half-sugar options as one possible solution and said he would welcome the opportunity to talk to the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly to discuss workable changes that could be made to vending machines that address health issues without the need to ban anything.

He rejected the idea that removing so-called 'unhealthy' items such as sugar would improve the eating habits of the public saying: "Banning sugar in vending machines means you are leaving 99.9% of the population untouched because consumption through vending machines makes up such a small percentage of our overall intake."

And Kevan Wallace, chairman of the Hospital Caterers' Association (HCA), has also condemned the ban.

He said: "The sugar ban in Wales actually removes people's choice. We (the HCA) work on the principle of freedom and this move has removed people's freedom.

"We feel that vending machines should stay as they are and offer the option of sugar if required. Rather than banning, the main things we need to strive for are improving the public's nutritional education and improving quality and letting individuals make their own choice."

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has said it had no plans to follow the Welsh example and ban sugar from hospitals in England.

Related Articles:

• 06 Sep 2010 - AVA boss in fresh warning about effects of new 5p and 10p coins on vending industry
• 26 Mar 2009 - Hospital vending rules slammed

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