News

Soft drink off the menu at Mildura Base Hospital

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 03:56:00

Mildura Base Hospital is taking a lead role in promoting healthy food choices outside the home with major revamping of the hospital’s Café.

Sugary drinks with no nutritional value and deep-fried foods are off the menu, in line with state government guidelines for hospitals and health services.
Hospital Director of Corporate Services Adam Stevenson said encouraging healthy choices outside the home was an essential part of helping people to eat well and be healthy.
He said the government’s Health Victoria framework provided policy guidelines for hospitals to promote healthier food and drinks that are available in the community through food and drink retail outlets, vending machines and workplace catering.
Mr Stevenson said the Café re-opened after renovations earlier this month, and feedback to the new menu had been positive.
“We are no longer selling soft drinks. This has been the case in hospitals and public health facilities in New South Wales since last year - Victorian hospitals are now following,” he said.
“Instead, we’ve introduced a wider range of freshly-made juices and milk drinks and some excellent home-style healthy meal options.”
Mr Stevenson said new incentives included coffee rewards cards, staff discounts and online ordering as well as a Daily Specials menu emailed to all staff.
He said the changes would apply to the café and vending machines in the hospital, but would not apply to inpatient food services as these already follow strict nutritional guidelines.
“We believe the Café’s new menu is in line with staff and community expectations about MBH.
“As one of the leading health organisations in the region, we need to be taking the lead in promoting healthy food and lifestyle choices.”