Policies | Nutrition Interventions

Health-Related policies for nutrition1

Workplace policies promote a corporate “culture of good health.”

Promote a workplace healthy food policy

  • Workplaces can promote healthy eating among employees by providing nutritious foods in the company cafeteria, in the vending machines, and at worksite functions. For example, some companies have implemented policies that require healthier food options such as salad, turkey sandwiches, and fruit, be served at meetings or other employee events
  • Worksite nutrition can be improved when developing contracts with food venders. Suppliers can be required to include specified percentages of healthy food in recommended portion sizes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health has prepared Making It Happen!, which provides guidance on food, snack and beverage content for schools, but can be applied to worksites.

Lactation Support Program

  • A basic lactation support program includes providing a breastfeeding employee time and a location where she can privately, comfortably, and safely express milk during the workday. Policy components include written policies to support breastfeeding women; allowing flexible scheduling to support milk expression during work; and giving mothers options for return­ing to work, such as teleworking, part-time work, and extended maternity leave
References

1.  American Public Health Association Policy Statement 9711: Healthy food choices in catered food situations. APHA Policy Statements 1948-present, cumulative. Washington, DC: APHA, current volume.