The Department follows the Government\u2019s mandatory Buying Standards for the food in its canteens and restaurants. This includes, in respect of the use of fresh produce, menus that are designed to reflect the natural growing or production period for the United Kingdom. In-season produce is highlighted on menus.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4044", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Stephenson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pendle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Stephenson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-17T11:34:34.673Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care: Food"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what her Department's policy is on the procurement of (a) food and (b) drinks produced in Britain for use in its (i) canteens and (ii) restaurants.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"} ], "uin" : "25412"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1351188", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1351188/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The catering provider contracted to supply services to the Department has adopted a United Kingdom-first sourcing policy.<\/p>
The National Health Service is required to purchase food through the appropriate frameworks which identifies safe working practices and the quality of the product. The NHS Supply Chain and NHS organisations have shown an ambition to source with local producers where possible.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-09-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-09-08T10:14:39.337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-08-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care: Food"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to encourage procurement of British produce within meals available for (a) staff in his Department and (b) patients since 1 January 2021.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1542", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Philip Dunne"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ludlow"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Philip Dunne"} ], "uin" : "40777"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1015545", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1015545/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
A fresh chopped fruit option is served as part of the breakfast menu on the Departmental estate. The Department offers a healthy meal option in locations hot food is served. The Department also offers a healthy sandwich meal deal, a salad bar and whole fruit snacks every day in the restaurants and cafes on its estate.<\/p>
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National Health Service hospitals are required to meet the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services through the NHS Standard Contract, and are required to develop and maintain a food and drink strategy which focuses on healthier eating across the whole hospital community, including the contents of vending machines.<\/p>
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The Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services are available at the following link:<\/p>
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