Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent listeria in food in hospitals.

On 17 June 2019, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced a root-and-branch review of all the food in hospitals, both food served, and food sold. This will look at the safety of food available to patients, visitors and staff, and provide healthier choices and improved nutrition.

National Health Service organisations have systems of due diligence in place to ensure that all their suppliers have appropriate registrations. The kitchens and other areas in the NHS used to store and process food are required to be registered and rated by the local authority and all staff involved in the preparation and handling of food are required to hold a level two food hygiene certificate. In addition to this, a food safety management system must be in place that outlines controls and processes for the safe delivery, handling and preparing of foods.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) published comprehensive guidance for healthcare and social care organisations on managing listeria risk in vulnerable people in 2016. The FSA commissioned delivery of training to 557 key staff responsible for food safety in hospitals and 288 local authority Environmental Health Officers in a series of workshops and webinars in 2015.