Download Workplace Healthy Eating Policy

ORGANISATIONAL POLICY:
WORKPLACE HEALTHY EATING
AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE: Ministry of Health New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines.
AUTHOR: Food Services Committee.
POLICY STATEMENT:
Hauora Tairāwhiti will ensure that healthy food options are actively promoted for employees and
visitors, and the food options provided on the Hauora Tairāwhiti sites comply with the New Zealand
Food and Nutrition Guidelines.
SCOPE:
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To show a commitment to the health and well-being of staff by providing food options
that assist them to eat a balanced diet according to the New Zealand
Food and Nutrition Guidelines.
To demonstrate leadership by acting as a role model for the community with a commitment to
the promotion and provision of healthy food choices at Hauora Tairāwhiti
To support an environment and society where individuals, families and whanau, and communities
are supported to eat well, live physically active lives, and attain and maintain a healthy body
weight.
DEFINITIONS:
Healthy Food Options – ones that reflect the Ministry of Health New Zealand Food and Nutrition
Guidelines:
NZ Food and Nutrition Guidelines
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Maintain a healthy body weight by eating well and by daily physical activity.
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Eat well by including a variety of nutritious foods from each of the four major food groups each
day.
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Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit.
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Eat plenty of breads and cereals, preferably wholegrain.
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Have milk and milk products in the diet, preferably reduced or low fat sugar free options.
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Include lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or low-fat alternatives.
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Prepare foods or choose pre-prepared foods, drinks and snacks:
o with minimal added fat, especially saturated fat,
o with minimal added salt or, if using salt, choose iodised salt,
o with minimal added sugar, and limit the intake of high-sugar food.
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Drink plenty of liquids each day, especially water.
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If choosing to drink alcohol, limit the intake.
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Purchase, prepare, cook and store food to ensure food safety.
Key population health messages about improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and
maintaining a healthy body weight are:
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eat a variety of nutritious foods.
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eat less fatty, salty and sugary foods.
eat more vegetables and fruits.
be active every day for at least 30 minutes in as many ways as possible.
add some vigorous exercise for extra benefit and fitness.
aim to maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
promote and foster the development of environments that support healthy lifestyles.
RELATED STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES:
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1. Cafeteria
A wide selection of food and drink must be offered. All options must comply with the New Zealand
Food and Nutrition Guidelines.
In addition, healthy food choices must be actively promoted within the Cafeteria
70% sandwiches available (including toasted sandwiches) to be made with whole grain or
wholemeal bread.
There must be a selection of fresh New Zealand-grown seasonal fruit available for sale.
All milk or dairy products available must be reduced or low fat.
The introduction of new pre-packaged products to the on-site cafeteria must be approved by the
Food Services Committee prior to being introduced for sale.
Only sugar free drinks or water may be made available for sale. Sugar free drinks on sale must be
no larger than 355mL in volume. There is no restriction on the sale of water.
2. Catering for Hauora Tairāwhiti-sponsored meetings and functions:
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All meetings and functions held (both in-house and external) where catering is provided must
follow the MoH Practical Guidelines for catering
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If the function is on the Gisborne Hospital campus the Hospital Caterers must be used.
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Wherever possible, individual needs must be accommodated. This may include options to cater
for food allergies, culturally appropriate foods, or other dietary requirements or reasonable
requests.
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70% sandwiches to be made with whole grain or wholemeal bread.
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All milk or dairy products available must be reduced or low fat.
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If a Hauora Tairāwhiti-sponsored meeting or function is off site, healthy food options must still
be chosen.
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3. Food dispensers, trolleys and fundraising:
Vending machines on any Hauora Tairāwhiti premise must contain the healthiest option of food
items available and meet the “50% Better Choices” as in “Better Vending for Health Guidelines”.
Drinks vending machines on Hauora Tairāwhiti premises may only sell water or sugar free drinks
and, with the exception of water, sugar-free drinks on sale must be no larger than 355mL in
volume.
All drink vending machines and fridges may only advertise water and nothing else. Other brand
images of sugary drinks are prohibited.
A water dispenser will be placed near to every vending machine to ensure staff and visitors have
the choice available.
Charts depicting the quantity of sugars in drinks should be placed in all areas serving food and next
to vending machines.
Commercial snack boxes are not permitted on Hauora Tairāwhiti sites.
The introduction of new pre-packaged products in vending machines must be approved by the
Food Services Committee prior to being introduced for sale
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Due to food safety concerns, foods that are prepared or cooked off site are not permitted to be
brought onto Hauora Tairāwhiti premises for sale without the prior approval of the Chief
Executive.
Chocolate is not permitted to be sold as a fundraiser.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS:
Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Adults: A Background Paper, Ministry of Health (2003)
http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/food-and-physical-activity/guidance-nutritionand-physical-activity-workplaces/practical-guidelinesWORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION RECOMMENDATIONS - http://www.who.int/en/
Better Vending for Health Guidelines – Waitemata DHB (2008)
EVALUATION METHOD:
Regular Agenda item on Food Services Committee meetings.
Food Safety Committee quarterly cafeteria audit.
A quarterly staff survey of cafeteria food/facilities through Hauora Tairāwhiti
intranet co-ordinated by the Logistics Manager to be tabled at Food Services Committee
Date of Approval: April 2014
Next Review Date: April 2016