Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The Spanish government is introducing minimum standards in the menus of hospitals and nursing homes, similar to what was introduced in September in schools.
The Ministries of Social Rights and Health have prepared a royal order to ensure that patients and residents over 65 receive nutritious and healthy food.
Pablo Bustinduy (Minister of Social Rights) said that on Thursday the state regulation for the new academic year will be based on the same pattern as the last one approved by the government.
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This will help to establish nutritional standards for hospital and nursing home meals.
Bustinduy didn’t go into more detail, but this measure is based on the school canteens and orders that vegetables and fruits be provided as well as an increase in fresh fish and lentils.
Sugary drinks and all processed and precooked foods, including pasties, as well as most fried food options will be banned.
The minister justified the new regulation as hospitals and nursing homes are ‘centres of special relevance’.
Bustinduy explained that “menus will be based dietary recommendations regarding healthy and sustainable food, for all age-groups and adapting to different situations.”
He added that he was responding to a ‘social outcry’ and many complaints made by citizens and groups about deficiencies found in some centres as well as the need to improve food in hospitals and nursing homes.
