73% of English health centers offer many sweets in distributors without any control, reveals a survey of the World Cancer research Fund (WCRF), the global fund for research against cancer. This lack of supervision in England contrasts with the Scottish and Welsh neighbors who have implemented directives since 2008. In these countries, hospitals are required to offer in their machines at least 30% of healthy food products and position them so as to be as visible as possible. The recommendations also provide for the withdrawal of too sweet drinks distributors present in health establishments.
In England, the 58% of the 110 hospitals that took part in the survey admitted that their dispensers contained less than a third of health foods.
Too many crisps, sugary drinks, chocolate bars have no place in hospitals, says Amanda McLean, director of the WCRF. “These foods are a source of obesity, a risk factor for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” she told the BBC.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has previously called for a ban on foods that are too high in sugar or fat in hospitals. This new poll advocates for its part legislation in England similar to that in progress in Scotland and Wales.
