MPs call Government to introduce care home food standards

An early day motion signed by17 MPs has called on the Government to introduce "enforceable standards" for care home food.

The move, led by Sutton Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow, follows last month's release of nutrient and food-based guidelines by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

While the motion welcomed the FSA guidelines as "a step towards addressing the problem of malnutrition" in care homes, it said the Department of Health must establish minimum food standards as part of its review of care homes later this year.

The motion, which was also signed by Respect MP George Galloway, said more than 60,000 people in care homes were malnourished, which cost the taxpayer £2.6b a year.

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By Tom Bill

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