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Healthy Options WA Policy

We all need more fresh, healthy food and sometimes it can be difficult to find healthy food and drinks when eating away from home.

The MP 0142/20 Healthy Options WA Food and Nutrition Policy (PDF 142KB) (the Policy) ensures that the Department of Health and WA hospitals are taking steps to increase the healthy food and drink options for staff and visitors at their sites.

Making healthier choices the easier choice in WA healthcare facilities is everyone’s business. The mandatory Healthy Options WA Food and Nutrition Policy applies to all WA health system entities, including staff and contracted retailers.

The Healthy Options WA: Making Healthy Choices Easier: How to Classify Food and Drinks Guide (PDF 565KB) | (Excel 341KB) defines how food and drink are classified according to the Policy’s traffic light system (Green, Amber or Red).

For information on how to implement the Policy, click on the section below that applies.

Business catering and fundraising

Staff members are responsible for ensuring their activities meet all the Policy requirements when organising the following:

business catering funded by a WA health system entity
all fundraising initiatives occurring on WA health system entity premises

Resources and factsheets for staff members

Supporting information

Healthy Options WA Food and Nutrition Policy Request for Exemption for Select Business Catering or Fundraising Event (DOCX 88KB)

Making Healthy Choices Easier: How to Classify Food and Drinks Guide to classify food and drink items according to the Policy’s traffic light system

This guide is available as a printable PDF or an interactive excel spreadsheet.

Vending machines

The Policy is relevant to all vending machines that sell food or drink of any kind on WA health system entity premises.

The offer, display, placement and promotion of food and drinks in all individual vending machines must comply with all the Policy requirements whenever they are operational.

Factsheets for vending machine operators

Assessing vending machines

Making Healthy Choices Easier: How to Classify Food and Drinks Guide to classify food and drink items according to the Policy’s traffic light system

This guide is available as a printable PDF or an interactive excel spreadsheet.

Retail outlets

The Policy is relevant to all retail outlets that sell food or drink of any kind on WA health system entity premises, including but not limited to:

cafes and coffee shops
kiosks
staff cafeterias and canteens
ward trolleys and coffee/tea carts
gift shops, florists, newsagents, pharmacies, convenience stores.

The offer, display, placement and promotion of food and drinks in all individual retail outlets must comply with all the Policy requirements whenever they are operational.