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Hospitals: Vending Machines

Asked by Julia BuckleyLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 16 September 2025UIN 73826

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the provision of healthy food options in hospital vending machines.

Answered by Karin Smyth

National Health Service hospitals are required to meet the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services through the NHS Standard Contract. They are also required to develop and maintain a food and drink strategy which focuses on healthier eating across the whole hospital community, including for their vending machines.

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