Department of Health

  • New calorie reduction development tool launched

    THE FOOD Network Team, part of the Department of Health, has produced a Calorie Reduction Pledge Development Tool to support current and future partners to the calorie reduction pledge.                     The…

  • Department of Health updates 2017 salt pledge

    THE DEPARTMENT of Health has updated its 2017 target to reduce the average intake of salt consumed by the public as part of the Responsibility Deal.                         The pledge…

  • Sugar tax could tackle rising obesity

    DAME SALLY DAVIES, Chief Medical Officer for England, has said that a sugar tax may have to be introduced to help reduce the rising obesity figures.                            …

  • HRH The Prince of Wales celebrates landmark moment for hospital food

    HRH THE Prince of Wales today hosted a reception, which celebrated improvements in hospital food in England.   Providing good, nutritious hospital food for patients has been highlighted in newly-published key guidance (known as CQUINs) for NHS commissioners and hospitals…

  • Round in circles

    WHEN THE government doesn’t know what to do, it tends to call for a review. And that’s exactly what it did after the horse meat scandal, with Professor Chris Elliott heading an “independent review of Britain’s food system”. He’s expected to provide some interim findings next month,…

  • The foodservice sector is NO poor relation when it comes to Health & Vitality initiatives

    “THE FOODSERVICE sector isn’t the poor relation of grocery retail when it comes to health and vitality initiatives”!   This was the overwhelming message delivered by industry experts from across the hospitality industry who gathered at the Department of Health…

  • Health by stealth

    DINERS ARE craving indulgent treats, yet the government wants help curbing obesity. Is there a sneaky solution?                       People are eating out less, but when they do they want to…

  • Something to fear

    FOODSERVICE OPERATORS are concerned about inconsistencies when it comes to nutritional labelling on menus. Footprint is therefore working with industry leaders and government on how to adapt the Responsibility Deal pledge.                  …

  • HCA RESPONSE TO THE RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW PATIENT-LED HOSPITAL INSPECTION AUDITS

    ON 21 SEPTEMBER, the Department of Health published the results of the first Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) for England 2013. This new system supersedes the former Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) audits which took place annually between…

  • My viewpoint: Sue Dibb talks about new sustainable diet guidelines

    NEW SUSTAINABLE diet guidelines are welcome but ministers need to make the advice official to help both food businesses and the public make informed choices, says Sue Dibb.   In July the government published a landmark report. But there was…