Cancer Council wants WA hospital soft drink ban expanded to other government facilities

Sugary drinks have been outlawed at public hospitals in one state, but now a health group wants to go one step further.

Sugary drinks have been outlawed in Western Australian public hospitals under a policy health groups want extended to other government facilities.

Under the state government’s Healthy Options WA policy, the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks has been banned at all vending machines, kiosks and cafes in public hospitals.

The ban has been put in place to tackle obesity and includes soft drinks, energy and sports drinks, flavoured mineral waters, cordials, fruit drinks, vegetable drinks and some flavoured milks – basically any drink with sugar added to it.

Diet, no sugar or sugar free drinks, described by the health department as “intensely sweetened drinks”, are still allowed to be sold but cannot be promoted.

“These drinks often have a high acid content which can cause dental erosion, leading to dental disease,” the policy said.

“Intensely sweetened drinks are therefore not recommended for consumption by children.”

An audit of the policy in 2019 found that 47 per cent of food providers were compliant.

The audit surveyed 215 food providers across 25 WA Health system sites, including 156 vending machines, 52 cafes, kiosks and canteens, and seven ward trolleys.

Diet drinks can be sold in public hospitals, but not promoted. Picture: Colin Murty

Fremantle Hospital was the most compliant at 81 per cent, followed by Bentley Hospital with 78 per cent, with many facilities making positive changes to food and drink services since the last audit in 2016.

The policy uses a “traffic light” system to classify food and drinks as green for the most healthy options, and amber and red for the least-healthy options.

Half of all food and drink sold must be green items.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook said about a third of health impacts from chronic diseases could be prevented by encouraging and supporting changes in lifestyle such as better nutrition and regular exercise.

Fremantle Hospital was the most compliant when audited in 2019.

“Hospitals should be the exemplars of our healthy eating policy; this does not mean banning unhealthy food and denying the sale of treats, but they should offer choices that support healthy living,” he said of the policy.

Speaking with the ABC, Cancer Council WA cancer prevention and research director Melissa Ledger called for the policy to be extended to other government facilities.

“It would be incredible leadership to see healthy options policies rolled out across other government agencies and public facilities, so this is a first step in what is a really promising opportunity to have environments that support us to be as healthy as we can be,” she said.

A survey in 2018 found 60 per cent of Western Australians favoured the government restricting the sale and marketing of sugary drinks in government-owned buildings such as hospitals and public recreation centres.

“We know that sugary drinks have little or no nutritional value and may lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease and a range of cancers,” Ms Ledger said.

The Healthy Options WA policy came into operation on October 31, 2018.