The Informed Dining in Health Care program requires food service establishments* located in health care facilities to provide customers with helpful nutrition information with a focus on calories and sodium. The nutrition information will be available at or before the point of ordering and will also provide daily calorie and sodium requirements.
Why is the program being implemented in Health Care facilities?
Is the Informed Dining program voluntary?
No, the Informed Dining in Health Care program is mandated in BC health care facilities and will be required rather than voluntary for retail food service establishments.
Are all retail food service establishments in BC health care facilities required to participate?
Yes, all retail food service establishments* in publicly funded health care facilities will be required to participate unless they meet certain exclusion criteria.
Does the Informed Dining in Health Care program include patient food?
No, the program will not apply to patient food services.
In what types of health care facilities will the Informed Dining in Health Care program be found?
This initiative will be rolled out in two phases. The first phase will include all publicly funded health authority owned and/or operated facilities, foundations, and public-private partnership buildings. This may include but is not limited to hospitals, residential care facilities, and outpatient care clinics. The second phase of the initiative will include health authority affiliate sites that are funded by health authorities, but are not owned or operated by health authorities.
When will the Informed Dining in Health Care program be implemented?
The Ministry of Health initiated discussions with health authorities in fall 2011. Consultations with industry stakeholders occurred spring through fall 2012. The Ministry is currently reviewing the feedback received through this consultation process and exploring options to address the supports requested by outlet operators. New timelines and implementation targets will be set once program elements are confirmed and supports are known.
* Food service establishment means a food service establishment regulated under the Food Premises Regulation, B.C. Reg. 210/99. This may include but is not limited to restaurants, cafeterias, cafes, coffee shops, and kiosks.
