Geisinger cutting sugary beverages

Geisinger, formerly known as Geisinger Health System, will no longer provide beverages that contain sugar, beginning on Jan. 1, according to an article on the Daily Item website.

The sugar-based items include any liquids sweetened with various forms of added sugars, such as brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar and sucrose. That includes sodas, fruit drinks, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened waters and milks.

“As we continue to look at ways to positively affect the health of our patients, members and employees, Geisinger has decided to eliminate these beverages from our food service areas throughout the organization,” Bruce Thomas, Geisinger vice president of Guest Services, said in the article.

In 2010, the system went trans-fat free and set maximum calories and fat guidelines for soups, entrees and desserts served in retail; in 2011, Geisinger eliminated its fryers in its kitchens; in 2016, it set a sodium cap on healthy selections items, updated catering menus to offer standard healthier options and promoted healthy snacks and beverages; and, earlier this year, Geisinger introduced antibiotic-free chicken breasts, strips and diced chicken in retail and patient menus across the health system.

Read the article.