'Super-size' chocolate bars to be banned from sale in hospitals as part of drive to tackle obesity

The NHS is set to ban "super-size" chocolate bars from its canteens, restaurants and vending machines.

A new 250-calorie limit on sweets and chocolates sold in hospitals will be introduced, as part of the UK health services' drive to tackle obesity.

Under the plans, most "grab-bags" will be banned, with hospitals being compensated with a cash boost for facilitating the change.

Most regular chocolate bars are below 250 calories, but the supersized varieties often contain significantly more.

The proposals would also see 75 per cent of pre-packaged sandwiches coming in at under 400 calories. They must also contain no more than 5g of saturated saturated fat per 100g.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "Hospitals have an important role in addressing obesity - not just treating those suffering the consequences, but helping to prevent it in the first place."

The rules are aimed to help NHS staff as well as patients. Some 700,000 NHS employees out of 1.3million - just over half - are thought to be overweight or obese.

Simon Stevens, the NHS chief executive, said: "The NHS is now stepping up action to combat the 'super-sized' snack culture which is causing an epidemic of obesity, preventable diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease and cancer.

"In place of calorie-laden, sugary snacks, we want to make healthier food an easy option for hospital staff, patients and visitors."