Healthier food and drinks at healthcare facilities

A Better Choice is a strategy based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines and applies a traffic light system to classify food and drinks:

• GREEN – best nutritional value – choose mostly,
• AMBER – some nutritional value – choose carefully, and
• RED – limited or no nutritional value – choose rarely.

Includes addition of sucrose (commonly called sugar), fructose, glucose, honey, fruit juice concentrate, fruit sugar syrup and deionised fruit juice.

Alcoholic drinks provide no essential nutrients the body needs and increase risk of alcohol-related accidents, injuries, diseases and death. They should only be consumed sometimes, in small amounts, or not at all.

Avoiding alcohol is the safest option for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Alcoholic drinks should be restricted in supply or not supplied at all. In addition:

• Any mixers added to alcohol should not be RED Drinks;
• All events where alcohol is being served and/or involving external stakeholders must be approved in writing by the Health Service Chief Executive or delegate;
• Where Queensland Health facilities are licensed to provide alcohol to staff, visitors and/or the general public at functions, meetings or events, alcoholic drinks should not be provided in excessive quantities and should be served in accordance with the Code of Practice for the responsible service, supply and promotion of liquor; and
• Alternatives to alcoholic drinks should be used as gifts or fundraising prizes.

Artificially sweetened drinks are classified as AMBER.

Artificially sweetened drinks include any drinks (except milk-based drinks) which have added non-nutritive intense sweeteners from artificial or natural sources. Some examples include (but not limited to):

• Artificial sweeteners – acesulphame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, and sucralose; and
• Natural sweeteners – stevia, erythritol, and allulose.

Recommendations in these national guidelines include:

• Food and drinks are consumed from the five food groups – grains (cereal) foods; vegetables; fruit; lean meats, poultry and alternatives; and milk, yoghurt, cheese and alternatives;
• Drink plenty of water; and
• Discretionary or junk foods should be limited, and only consumed occasionally.

Catering refers to occasions where any food or drinks are provided at meetings, events, conferences, exhibitions, symposiums, workshops, training, and any other functions, within Hospital and Health Service facilities. It includes ‘free’ meals prepared or paid for by the Hospital and Health Service or external agencies, companies and businesses.

It does not apply to food and drinks that staff and visitors bring from outside the facility for their own personal consumption. It also does not apply to free food and drinks provided by Charitable Organisations to parents or families of patients currently admitted to the facility.

Free drinking water is to be made available and prominently promoted or advertised at healthcare facilities that have a water risk management plan in place.

A water risk management plan describes how a facility, prescribed under Chapter 2A of the Public Health Act 2005, will prevent or minimise the risks to health associated with the water supply of the facility.

Fundraising activities includes promotional and sponsorships, staff social clubs, gifts, raffles, fundraising, bake sales, competitions, third party fundraisers, static displays, fundraising BBQ’s, breakfasts or morning teas, competitions, special interest events such as awareness weeks, competitions.

These include food and drinks provided by the Hospital and Health Service or through private selling within the workplace.

A geographic site where one or more healthcare services are located on Hospital and Health Services land, including but not limited to:

• Hospitals;
• Community Health Centres;
• Primary Health Care Centres;
• Laboratories; and
• Office buildings operated by Hospital and Health Services.

Healthy drinks are classified as GREEN.

They have no added sugar and/or with important nutritional value or contain added sugar and has some nutritional value when consumed in smaller amounts.

Further details can be found in the A Better Choice Drinks Classification Guide.

Healthy foods are classified as GREEN.

They are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre, lower in saturated fat, added sugar and/or salt, lower in energy and help ensure optimal nutrient intake.

Further details can be found in the A Better Choice Food Classification Guide.

Includes any meals provided to patients admitted to a healthcare facility e.g. for day-surgery, or a ward.

These meals are specifically designed to ensure clinical needs are met and to prevent malnutrition, particularly for long-stay patients. They must comply with the Queensland Health Nutrition Standards for Meals and Menus and theAged Care Quality Standards. Implementation of this Directive is encouraged in residential and mental health units, where clinically appropriate.

Includes product placement in prominent areas, static display of marketing materials or panels, special meal-deal promotion, digital marketing, or master-branding (i.e. billboards, store umbrellas, flags, straw holders, counter signs, and drink fridges or vending machine decals).

Available and easy to access at places where foods and/or drinks are sold/provided.

Any point of sale for food and drinks, including but not limited to:

• Vending machines;
• Retail outlets – restaurants, cafes, kiosks, canteens, coffee carts, tea trolleys, food trucks; and
• Other retail outlets that sell food and drinks – convenience stores, newsagents, post offices, florists, gift stores and pharmacies.

Unhealthy drinks are classified as RED.

These drinks are nutrient-poor and lack nutritional value, can be energy dense, and can contribute to excess energy intake (kilojoules). When frequently consumed unhealthy drinks can increase the risk of unhealthy weight and dental decay.

No unhealthy drinks must be sold, provided, promoted or advertised.

Further details can be found in the A Better Choice Drinks Classification Guide.

Unhealthy foods are classified as RED.

These foods provide limited nutrition, can be energy dense and can contribute to excess energy intake (kilojoules). When frequently consumed unhealthy food can increase the risk of unhealthy weight and chronic diseases.
Further details can be found in the A Better Choice Food Classification Guide.

• Amendment 1 – remove three words ‘or added juice’ from the ‘Flavoured water and Mineral water’ category on page 3
• Amendment 2 – remove three words ‘or added juice’ from the ‘Cordials and Iced teas’ category on page 3
• Amendment 3 – replace ‘Director-General’ with ‘Health Service Chief Executive’ on page 5 and remove reference to Department of Health Standard QH-IMP-291-1.2015 on page 6