PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Hospitals: Food (4 February 2019)

The supply of food and specialised nutritional products, particularly those provided to patients and those in care, is being addressed as part of the Department’s preparedness planning for the continuity of supply and service delivery post-European Union Exit. The Department has been working in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The majority of food supplied to the health and social care sector in the United Kingdom is sourced from the UK. There are certain products that are routinely sourced from other EU countries, although alternative sources and suitable substitutes exist for these foodstuffs.

Specialist nutritional products are an important part of patient care throughout the health and social care sector. In recognition of this we have made this a specific area of focus within our preparedness arrangements. We are working closely with industry and with organisations such as Public Health England and the British Specialist Nutrition Association to identify the arrangements being made by suppliers and to develop contingency measures that will ensure seamless supply.