Health leaders are preparing for hospitals to stop purchasing imported foods for patient meals if the UK fails without an EU agreement.
Caterers were ordered to search for "substitute foods to maintain nutrition balance" of the meals. Fears that stocks will be disrupted by a no-deal Brexit show a government letter.
Also schools, the armed forces and "any kind of public catering" will be affected, it is said in a committee of the deputies.
The director of the public sector catering service said he was "very, very worried" that supplies would be affected, even if the backup plans would work for several weeks.
Andy Jones from Public Sector 100 told The Observer About 40 percent of hospital patient food is imported from the EU, including chicken and lettuce, and many just-in-time to ensure fast delivery.
"It's not just about whether we can get enough if there's no deal, but whether we can afford it," he said.
"Good food is important for the patients. Food is like medicine. If patients do not get it, in some cases they will not come home.
"One thing we'll see is that the election disappears. People are given only what we can get their hands on. "
Sarah Wollaston, the conservative chairman of the All-Party Health Select Committee who sent the letter, said: "It is becoming increasingly clear that we are not only facing drug shortages, but also many other things that hospitals need. to work.
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Christian Broughton, editor of the Independent, talks to demonstrators in the Parliament Square after participating in a march calling for a referendum on the final Brexit deal in central London on October 20, 2018. Britain, fearing life outside Europe, gathered from all corners of Britain to London on Saturday to try to stop the threat of dissolution of their country from the EU.
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Demonstrators with banners "We are with the EU" during the People's March for the Future in London, United Kingdom, October 20, 2018. According to reports, the "March for the Future" is led by a column of young people and demands Referendum on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a demonstration on Parliament Square, including speeches by the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
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Protesters walk past Trafalgar Square as they march on 20 October 2018 in central London calling for a referendum on the final Brexit deal. – On Saturday, Britons who feared life outside of Europe gathered from all corners of Britain to London to try to stop the threat of dissolution of their country from the EU.
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Protesters wave Union and EU flags and hold up placards as they drop by Trafalgar Square and participate in a march calling for a referendum on the final Brexit deal in central London on October 20, 2018 in the corners of Britain on Saturday London, to try to stop the threat of dissolution of their country from the EU.
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Protesters hold posters as they march on 20 October 2018 in central London calling for a referendum on the final Brexit deal. – Brits fearing life outside Europe gathered in London from every corner of the UK on Saturday to try to stop their country's impending separation from the EU.
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A protester holds a message during a march in which he called for a plebiscite on the final Brexit deal in central London on 20 October 2018, calling for the country's collapse with the EU.
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Protesters will participate in the & # 39; People & # 39; s Vote March for the Future & # 39; in the center of London, Great Britain. According to reports, the & # 39; March for the Future & # 39; Be led by a column of young people and a people calling for vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a demonstration on Parliament Square, including speeches by the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
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Anti-Brexit activists participate in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum
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"The food is one of them. The cost and expense of trading are mind-boggling. Surely there is a better use of time and money. "
The letter sent to the committee was sent by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to all hospitals, which said that the potential food shortage is "centrally managed".
It states: "Instructions are given to major manufacturers of patient meals to make arrangements for an emergency to address the shortage of certain ingredients.
"Hospital caterers, patient food and catering professionals, and PFI providers will be provided with guidance on measures to be taken in the preparation of substitute foods to maintain the balanced nutritional choices of patient menus / meals."
In the latest evidence before the committee, Saffron Cordery, vice chairman of NHS providers, the trade association for NHS trusts, said: "It's a common problem – it's not just about providing hospitals.
"This will be any kind of public catering, including schools and armed forces. We look at the piece. "
Ms. Cordery said the preparations would not be limited to weeks, adding, "We talk about contingencies over a longer period of time."
When questioned about drug shortages, she told MEPs, "I actually have a number of worst nightmares.
"The timing and the schedule are critical. Frankly, there is not enough time for planning at the national level, although it is now accelerating. "
A Health and Welfare Department spokesperson said, "As part of our contingency planning, we take all necessary steps with NHS England, suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to ensure that patients continue to receive the high standards of care they expect."
The Independent has launched its # FinalSay campaign to demand that voters vote in the final Brexit deal.
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