Ban on sale of sugary drinks from all MidCentral District Health Board (MDHB) premises started on 7 April 2015. The ban covers soft drinks, sugary fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy and other drinks where sugar is added to the beverage before sale. Low or no-sugar drinks such as water, unflavoured milk, tea, coffee and artificially sweetened soft drinks are still available. Fruit and vegetable juices are still available, but limited to 250 ml sizes. The DHB hopes the ban will encourage staff, and visitors to reduce their consumption of sugary drinks and avoid the associated risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and dental problems. Staff have largely been positive about the health-promoting hospital strategy, and MDHB has been supported in the media for announcing the ban.
Sugary drink ban from all MDHB premises
