No more crisps and cola: Murcia hospital starts clearing junk food from vending machines
Arrixaca Hospital takes the lead in a health-first move to swap out fatty snacks for fruit and cereal bars
Murcia’s biggest hospital is giving its vending machines a major health makeover, with sugary drinks and fatty snacks being removed to make way for fruit, salads and cereal bars.The Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital in El Palmar is the first in the region to bring in the long-awaited changes, as part of a new seven-year contract for managing its food and drink services. The Murcia Health Service (SMS) had announced plans back in 2017 to cut back on unhealthy options in hospitals, but until now, nothing had actually been enforced.
Under the new contract, fried snacks, chocolate-filled pastries and sugar-loaded biscuits are being ditched in favour of healthier choices like low-fat cheese, bottled water, sugar-free drinks and wholegrain sandwiches. All items must now meet strict nutritional guidelines, including a maximum of 200 kilocalories per portion and limits on salt, fat and sugar.
"All products offered in the vending machines must meet the indicated nutritional recommendations so that healthy eating is promoted in the hospital environment," the hospital stated in the contract documents.
As well as serving patients and visitors, the vending machines are part of a wider agreement that includes the public cafeterias and the on-call staff dining room. The total budget for the new deal is €4.73 million, significantly less than the previous 15-year contract.
Currently, there are 58 vending machines in operation throughout the hospital and its facilities, including machines for hot drinks, cold drinks, snacks and bottled water. These will all be replaced under the new scheme.
Importantly, the new product list must also cater for people with dietary requirements. That means lactose-free dairy items and gluten-free cereals will now be included.
Another notable addition to the contract is a commitment to serve organic food for one week every month in the staff dining room. During this time, all fruit, veg, legumes, flour, oils, sugar, tea and coffee must be organically sourced. Any company failing to meet this requirement could face penalties.
The hospital’s Nutrition Unit will supervise food preparation, while the successful bidder will be responsible for day-to-day operations. According to the Health Department, the aim is to roll out the initiative across all public hospitals in the Region of Murcia in the near future.
It’s part of a wider push to lead by example and make sure health centres are promoting exactly what they stand for - better health.
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Image: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
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