Board ponders bid to ban fizzy drinks

A ban on the sale of carbonated drinks at hospital cafes ban would include all public hospitals in the Wellington region, including Wairarapa Hospital.

A recommendation to ban the sale of fizzy drinks at hospital cafes is to be considered by the Wairarapa District Health Board.

The ban would affect cafes in all public hospitals in the Wellington region, including the cafe at Wairarapa Hospital.

A sub-regional food policy is now being developed for the Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs, who each have different policies and guidelines.

At a meeting last month the Community Public Health Advisory Committee and Disability Support Advisory Committee discussed nutrition and physical activity initiatives in schools that aim to prevent heart disease and diabetes.

It was raised that the DHBs should be starting with their own hospitals and develop a policy around the cafeteria food which removes fizzy drinks from hospital cafes.

At a Wairarapa DHB meeting yesterday, deputy chairwoman Leanne Southey said it was "big brother stuff".

"It's completely over the top."

Chairman Derek Milne said it was up to each board to decide.

"I think the recommendation itself is quite straight forward but when the policy is produced we can have a look.

"Let's wait and see what this group produces."

Chief executive Graham Dyer said the recommendation was triggered by the Nelson Marlborough DHB which had put in place a healthy eating policy.

At the end of March, all drinks sweetened with sugar were taken off the shelves at cafes and shops on Nelson Hospital grounds.

Soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and flavoured milk were removed but fruit juices with no added sugar were allowed.

A 355ml can of fizzy drink can contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar.

The World Health Organisation recommends a limit of six teaspoons of sugar per day for the average adult.

Do you think DHBs should ban sugary drinks from hospitals? Comment online at times-age.co.nz