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Written question asked by Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 31 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 November 2025. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Monday, 24 November 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Food: Clinical Waste

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement to dispose of unused specialist invalid food products as medical waste on level of food waste.

Answer

Through the implementation of the NHS Clinical Waste Strategy and the National Standards for Healthcare Food and Drink, NHS England is actively working to reduce both clinical and food waste across the system.

The Clinical Waste Strategy promotes appropriate waste segregation and treatment to minimise unnecessary incineration and environmental harm. Meanwhile, the food standards encourage healthcare providers to reduce food waste through improved planning, monitoring, and sustainable practices. It is widely accepted that any medication that is provided via clinical provision should be disposed of as offensive waste. Any unused food products that are still in their packaging can be disposed of through the agreed food waste system.

NHS England continues to monitor the implementation of these strategies and welcomes further evidence or insights that could inform future assessments or policy development in this area.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
87116
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Food Clinical waste
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk