A HOSPITAL retailer is still selling confectionery “grab-bags” in apparent contravention of an NHS order. 

Health chiefs last year ordered hospitals across the country to stop selling super-size chocolate bars and grab-bags. They placed a 250 calorie limit on confectionery sold at canteens, stores and vending machines.

The head of NHS England said that the move would help tackle an “epidemic of flab” facing the country.

However, the Swindon Advertiser was able to buy a range of chocolate and sweets from Great Western Hospital’s Amigo store in the hospital foyer. 

The combined calorie count of just four confectionery grab bags totalled 2,385 calories, exceeding the government’s recommended daily intake for an adult woman. 

What did we buy?
Cadbury Caramel Nibbles (£1.30): 596.4 calories
Cadbury Giant Dairy Milk Buttons (£2.60): 636 calories
Rowntree Fruit Pastilles (£2.60): 528 calories 
Maynards Bassetts Wine Gums (£2.60): 625.1 calories
Classic Coca-Cola, 500ml (£1.80): 210 calories

While many of the bottles of carbonated and fruit drinks were low-sugar options, such as Coke Zero, customers were also able to buy sugary alternatives including Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite. Under government rules, no more than 20 per cent of drinks lines stocked by hospital retailers should have more than 5g of added sugar per 100ml. Classic Coca-Cola has 10.6g.

GWH said that the hospital’s PFI builder, The Hospital Company, was responsible for retail outlets and cafés on the site. They were continuing to push for shops and cafés to meet the NHS order.

A spokeswoman for the NHS trust said: “We have been working closely with them to get their suppliers to meet the national goal for all soft drinks on sale in the restaurant and café to meet the target of less than 5 per cent sugar to 100ml of drink, at the same time as reducing the number of sugary snacks in our vending machines, replacing them with more fruit and low-fat options.  

“We have been assured by our retail and catering partners that they are committed to the order from NHS England to cut the number of sugary snacks and high-sugar drinks on sale in the hospital.”

NHS England said this week that an additional 175,000 pieces of fruit have been sold in hospital stores since last year’s orderand Costa has removed the large size (Massimo) from its seasonal and more indulgent drinks in hospital stores. 

Chief executive Simon Stevens said: “We now know that obesity causes 13 different types of cancer as well as heart attacks and strokes. The NHS has needed to get its own house in order on the epidemic of flab.”

Almost 70 per cent of Swindon adults are deemed overweight or obese, well above the national average of 61 per cent. This week, the Adver revealed newly-presented data showing that almost one in four expectant mothers who give birth at GWH are obese.

Ministers want to tackle the trend with a new sugar tax coming into force on Friday that could push up the price of popular fizzy drinks.

Those containing more than 5g of sugar per 100ml will be subject to an 18p levy, with a 24p levy on drinks with more than 8g of sugar per 100ml. The charge will be paid by the manufacturers.