In order to lead by example, standards to improve the provision of healthy meals have been introduced across the public sector:
In Nurseries and Children's Day Care Centres:
Nutritional Standards for Early Years
These standards published in January 2006, recognise that education about healthy eating and encouraging healthy choices must start from the earliest stages. The guidance is aimed at childcare/early education providers such as nurseries, playgroups and childminders and provides advice from nutritionists on nutrition and menu planning.
This work is complementary to Adventures in Foodland, issued in 2003 by NHS Health Scotland, which provides practical advice on providing food for young children.
When Sammy Met Sally, a story book aimed at nursery children and their parents with a healthy eating message has also been produced to further support this work. For copies of this book, please e-mail info@albert-bartlett.co.uk
In Schools:
Hungry for Success, published in 2002 set tough new standards for the provision of school meals. It introduces nutrient standards for school lunches, supported by guidance and training for school caterers. This is being built on by the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act which places a duty on local authorities to ensure all schools meet these nutritional standards and will put health promotion and nutrition at the heart of the school curriculum.
In Care Homes/Day Care Centres:
The National Care Standards include standards for food and nutrition. The Scottish Executive Health Department has appointed a nurse consultant for older people in a care home setting. The aim is to improve the care of older people in care homes and establish learning networks and training. Nutrition will be a key part of this.
In Hospitals:
Standards for food given to patients and assessment of patients nutritional status are in place in all Scottish Hospitals through the QIS Clinical Standards for Food, Fluid and Nutritional Care in Hospitals.
To support these clinical standards, we are also working with the Food Standards Agency Scotland and other partners to develop catering standards for the wider NHS Catering Service. This will cover all aspects of menus, food provision and procurement for hospital meals and staff and visitor catering services. We have also appointed a Food and Nutrition Advisor from within the NHS who is working with the Food Standards Agency and many other partners on the development of these nutrient standards, nutrient specifications as well as guidelines on their implementation. The standards are due to be published during 2007.
In Prisons:
The Food Standards Agency Scotland have published Nutrient Standards for the Scottish Prison Service in August 2006. The standards are set out as daily energy and nutrient requirements for males and females and young offenders are based on recommendations in the Department of Health's report on Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients in the United Kingdom.