VICTORIA'S public hospitals have come under fire for selling junk food through vending machines and cafes.
As the nation falls into the grip of an obesity epidemic and doctors consistently advise people to consume less artery-clogging food, hospital canteens contradict the message by serving up fat-laden fried foods.
The Sunday Herald Sun found vending machines with chips, lollies, chocolates and soft drinks in seven major Melbourne hospitals.
One hospital had no canteen, but two vending machines with soft drinks and lollies, chips and chocolates on offer -- no juice, no water.
And hospital cafeterias are serving fried foods such as chips, dim sims, potato cakes, parmigianas and burgers as well as cakes and doughnuts.
Australian nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said it was time hospitals started practising what doctors preached.
"There is no way we can expect doctors to give out proper advice if the administration is not backing them up with good food examples," Ms Stanton said.
"For instance, having McDonald's at the Royal Children's Hospital sends a terrible message.
"It is difficult for the profession to suggest healthy eating if junk food is all that is available.
"Hospitals should know better."
Ms Stanton said all states should follow Queensland's example and ban soft drinks and junk foods in hospital vending machines.
A spokesman for Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the State Government did not believe a junk food ban was the answer.
He said the Minister was considering asking for draft guidelines that ensured people visiting public hospitals had the option of buying healthy food and beverages from vending machines.
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