Sodexo reveals 22% reduction in food-related emissions

Sodexo UK and Ireland has announced that together with its client partner Nuffield Health, it has slashed food-related carbon emissions by 22%.

The reduction was driven by the patient dining programme it launched at the healthcare charity’s hospitals with non-profit plant-based meal organisation Greener by Default in early 2025.

Sodexo’s scheme aimed to encourage patients across 35 Nuffield Health Hospitals to opt for plant-based options using a series of culinary and behavioral changes.

The initiative saw menus whose dishes were formerly 24% meat-based, 42% vegetarian and 34% vegan transitioned to 18% meat-based, 41% vegetarian and 41% vegan.

Over half of the patient menu was revised, adding new items like vegan soup rolls and removing the grill bar to put a stronger focus on plant-based dishes.

Processed meats like bacon and ham were cut back or eliminated, while dairy-free choices were increased. Plant-based meals were highlighted on menus and given appealing, flavour-focused names to attract patients.

Sodexo said the programme was designed to help Nuffield Health reach its goal of serving a 90% plant-based menu to promote health, inclusivity and environmental impact while ensuring diners are happy with their food.

It added that the menu alternations improve patient outcomes and accelerate recovery by, for instance, offering post-surgery patients “plant-forward” food that is higher in key nutrients.

On top of carbon emission cuts, the average meat served per patient reduced by 14%, while plant protein servings increased by nearly 50%.

Sodexo said it observed high levels of diner satisfaction throughout the pilot.

Commenting on the results, Nuffield Health charity and medical director Dr Davina Deniszczyc said: “As the UK’s largest healthcare charity, our purpose is to help people live healthier lives. Plant-based food is highly nutritious, helps prevent ill health and can play an important role in recovery.

“With our ambition to reduce our carbon footprint, this project gave us a unique opportunity to bring together both environmental and nutritional benefits. The response from patients has been fantastic, with many telling us they feel encouraged to include more plant-based dishes in their everyday diet.”

Sodexo national operations director Neil Paterson added: “Our client’s ambitions of increasing plant-based options in patient dining are closely aligned to our own ambition to deliver 70% low carbon meals by 2030.

“We started working with Greener by Default in 2025 and we’ve been delighted by the results. The pilot has shown what’s possible, and our aim now is to continue to work with Nuffield Health towards a menu that is 90% plant-based whilst maintaining standards and satisfaction.”