GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE NUTRITION FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

29 Oct 2002 12:15 PM

War-time Welfare Food Scheme to be adapted to meet modern dietary needs

The Department of Health today published proposals to reform the Welfare Food Scheme to give pregnant women, mothers and young children in low income groups greater access to a healthy diet.

The proposals follow a scientific review of the current scheme which has changed little since it was conceived during war-time shortages in 1940. The review was undertaken by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). It advised that, although milk and infant formula - currently provided in the scheme - are important elements in the diets of
mothers and children, they are not sufficient on their own to meet their nutritional needs. It also found the current scheme acted as a disincentive for mothers to breast-feed.

The views of interested parties and stakeholder groups, including users of the scheme, health professionals, the food and dairy industry, will be actively sought at a number of dedicated consultation events. Detailed discussions will take place so that the finalised proposals build on the experience of those involved in the existing scheme and retain the wider benefits their involvement brings, such as employment and links to isolated groups.

It is proposed that the reformed scheme would be renamed as 'Healthy Start' and would come into effect in 2004. In line with the Government's commitment to tackling health inequalities the reformed scheme would provide better nutrition and greater choice in a healthy diet for over 800,000 people in low income families - making the most effective use of the £142m funding each year in England, Scotland and Wales.

Building on the COMA report, and following initial input from health professionals and users of the scheme, key changes proposed are:

- to broaden the nutritional value of the scheme by adding fruit and
vegetables, cereal based foods and other foods suitable for weaning to the liquid milk and infant formula currently provided.

- to offer wider access to these foods through a fixed value voucher. The
voucher would be of broadly equivalent value to the current allocation, which is seven pints of liquid milk.

- to link the scheme more closely with the NHS through antenatal and
post-natal clinics.

Public Health Minister Hazel Blears said: "These proposals will help lay the foundations for the good health of future generations. Good nutrition in pregnancy and early childhood is a key element in preventing obesity, cancer, coronary heart disease and strokes later in life.

People with low incomes suffer more ill-health. By improving the nutritional benefit of the scheme, and making healthy options easier options, we can help to reduce these unfair inequalities.

I look forward to hearing the views of everybody during our consultation."

Food Minister Lord Whitty said: "The Welfare Food Scheme has existed for many years with little change. I welcome the current review which will provide an opportunity to assess the best ways in which a balanced diet can be delivered to the most vulnerable in our society. It does have implications for both the dairy industry and the horticultural sector, and for the delivery of these products, all of which will be considered in the consultation process.

I am confident that the Government can continue to work with the dairy industry and others in helping to provide better access to a healthy diet for everyone."

Martin Beaumont, Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group commented: "As a major food retailer, farmer and milk processor we welcome the opportunity to work with the Government to establish how the reformed scheme might work in an effective way to help improve the health of the nation."

Chris Gowdridge, Director of Maternity Alliance said: "Health inequalities begin before birth. The welfare foods scheme is a public health measure, valued by parents and it can make a real difference to mothers' and babies' health. This consultation will generate new thinking on an old problem and we welcome it."

Notes to Editors:

1. Current Scheme and Healthy Start Compared:
Who gets what	CURRENT SCHEME	HEALTHY START PROPOSALS
Pregnant women	7 pints milk each week, paid by token	Fixed face value weekly voucher for 'healthy' foods (covering fruit and vegetables, cereal based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, liquid milk and infant formula)
Age 0-6 months	Either 900g dried milk, or breast milk and mother gets 7 pints milk each week	Fixed face value weekly voucher for 'healthy' foods (covering fruit and vegetables, cereal based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, liquid milk and infant formula) Breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers will get the same benefit
6-12 months	Either 900g dried milk, or breast milk and mother gets 7 pints milk each week	Fixed face value weekly voucher for 'healthy' foods (covering fruit and vegetables, cereal based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, liquid milk and infant formula) Breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers will get the same benefit
12 months to fifth birthday	7 pints milk each week	Fixed face value weekly voucher for 'healthy' foods (covering fruit and vegetables, cereal based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, liquid milk and infant formula)
Non-means tested: children in nursery or day care	1/3 pint of milk a day	1/3 pint of milk a day or piece or fruit each day

Families eligible for the means tested aspects of the Welfare Food Scheme, and the proposed 'Healthy Start' are those in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance.

2. The full proposal document is available on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/healthystart or from Department of Health, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH. The website will also carry details of the discussions groups and other news about the progress of the proposals. There will be a link to the document from our nutrition website: http://www.doh.gov/nutritionforum/index.htm

3. The Department of Health is inviting views on the proposals to be sent to the Healthy Start team, room 633/4 Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG. Responses can also be submitted by e-mail which, together with any enquiries about the exercise, should be sent to Healthystart@doh.gsi.gov.uk by Friday 13th December. A downloadable form of the consultation is also available on the website.

4. The scientific review of the scheme was undertaken in 1999 by the Panel on Child and Maternal Nutrition of the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). The COMA panel review is being been published simultaneously with this consultation document by The Stationery Office. Copies of the COMA report are available from The Stationery Office, PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN or online from www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition held it's first meeting in June 2001. This Committee addresses issues previously dealt with by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA, disbanded 2000).