Warwickshire Trading Standards monitors care home food

[dutchman]

Trading Standards officers in Warwickshire have been monitoring meal quality at 10 nursing and care homes.

Samples taken during spot visits last year revealed poor vitamin levels and portions that were either too small or too large, officers said.

Simon Cripwell, from Trading Standards, said it was working with the independent homes to ensure the meals maintained nutritional standards.

The homes were "very welcoming", the county council said.

The meals were analysed against the Caroline Walker Trust and National Association of Care Caterers guidelines, which seek to improve the nutritional standards of foods served to older people, Warwickshire County Council said.

Councillor Richard Hobbs said: "The homes were very welcoming and appreciated the work we were able to do to identify problems and offer solutions.

"All the homes that took part were provided with advice and assistance to improve the nutritional standards and portion sizes of the meals they served."