Ambient Food

This framework starts on 27 October 2025, runs for 24 months and ends on 26 October 2027. There is an option to extend for an additional 24 months.

There are 27 suppliers, including 5 new suppliers, on the framework offering an extended product range, innovative products and more choice to customers. See the Suppliers section for a full list of suppliers on this framework.

Areas covered

There are 13 lots on this framework (see Product Categories section for a full list). 

See our Downloads ▼ section for the full product listing.

Please note: Glucose Gels will not be available under this framework for Go Live, see our Useful Links section to view ICN 3087 for more information.

Resilience

Our increased knowledge of the global manufacturing base following COVID-19 and subsequent global supply challenges, means we are better able to identify potential risks and mitigate them by building resilience into our sourcing strategies.

For this framework we are adopting measures that include bringing wholesalers on board to increase the continuity of supply and additionally having a dual source of supply on certain products that we believe to be a risk.

How to purchase from the framework

Products available via our Stocked and eDirect supply routes can be purchased using our online catalogue or through your own purchase-to-pay system.

Important notice – for stocked products only.

Following the move to Buy Price = Sell Price, new contract / framework prices will only come into effect when stock of all products at the old contract / framework price has been depleted.

Ordering samples

Product samples are available from all the suppliers on the framework.

Please note that the decision to supply samples, along with the unit of issue, supplied quantity, time to supply and free of charge nature of any request, is solely the decision of the relevant supplier(s).

Requests for samples should initially be discussed with your NHS Supply Chain: Food Account Manager. They will then work with you and the respective supplier(s) to agree requests and order on your behalf.

Product switching will be available following the start of the framework. Analysis has taken place to highlight cost effective alternatives and to identify switch and rationalisation opportunities. If you are interested in further information about product switching, please speak to our Food Client Account Managers (CAM’s).

See our Useful Links section for your Food Client Account Managers (CAM’s) contact details.

Sustainability, net zero and social value are important elements in how NHS Supply Chain build our framework offering through the procurement process, tendering, supplier award and contract management. There are five mandatory requirements for suppliers to address supporting compliance with relevant PPNs and NHS England policy.

• Carbon Reduction Plan (PPN 006)
• Evergreen Assessment 
• Modern Slavery Assessment (PPN 009)
• Social Value (PPN 002)
• NHS England Net Zero Supplier Roadmap and Horizon Scanning.

Awarded suppliers meet the current milestones on the net zero roadmap and have awareness and understanding of future milestones.

Social value

See our Downloads ▼ section for further information on suppliers’ social value commitments.

Sustainable opportunities

The following sustainable opportunities are available on this framework:

Multi load trucks – Many suppliers including Brakes, Hunts, Heinz have agreed to deliver multiple lines in the same truck. This will reduce the carbon footprint of our supply operation and create a more efficient supply chain.

Reduction in consumption – opportunities to swap to larger pack sizes for ingredients such as flour to mitigate number of deliveries. Flour now has options of 1kg to 16kg bags this is supplied by Hunts food group and found in Lot 13 Grocery.

Sustainable packaging – Suppliers offer a range of products with sustainable packaging options, including the use of recycled materials, alternatives to plastic, and a reduction in single use plastics. These options are available across multiple suppliers For, example currently 90% percent of Nutricia Ltd packaging is recyclable, they are aiming for 100%. Nutricia products can be found in Lot 2 oral nutritional pods. This is something we will review throughout the contract and will work closely with suppliers to find new more sustainable solutions of packaging. 

90 products are being delisted. 47 of these have an identified alternative.

See our Downloads ▼ section to view the full list of delisted products and details of the alternatives available.

There are 27 suppliers on this framework. They are:

• Aimia Foods Ltd
• Aymes International Ltd
• BANG! Curry
• BFS Group LTD TA Bidfood
• Brake Bros Ltd
• Cereal Partners UK
• Danone Nutricia: early life Nutrition
• Hain Celestial UK Limited
• Hunts Food Group Ltd
• Icesupp Ltd
• Ivory & Ledoux Ltd
• Juiceworks
• Kraft Heinz
• Lakeland Dairy Limited
• Marillo Foods Ltd
• Mark Clegg & Company T.A as Clegg’s Chilled Food Service
• Martin Mathew & Co Ltd
• Nestle UK Ltd
• Nutshell Packaging
• Portion Solutions Ltd
• Premier Foods Limited
• SPL UK Ltd
• The Silver Spoon Company
• Tilda Ltd
• Unilever UK Ltd
• Walkers Snacks Ltd
• Weetabix Limited.

The following suppliers are being delisted at the start of the framework agreement:

• BBI Healthcare
• Biofloratech
• Kelloggs.

There is an extensive product list from a wide range of suppliers in the market. 18 new products have been added and these are highlighted in the product listing.

There are 13 lots on this framework:

• Lot 1: Canned Goods
• Lot 2: Oral Nutritional Products
• Lot 3: Cereals and Porridge
• Lot 4: Jams and Reduced Sugar Jams
• Lot 5: Gravy, Bouillons & Sauces
• Lot 6: Single Serve Instant Soup and Bulk Soup
• Lot 7: Custard
• Lot 8: Condiments
• Lot 9: Sugar, Sugar Portions and Sweeteners
• Lot 10: Milk Powder
• Lot 11: Non Dairy Milk Alternatives
• Lot 12: Edible Oils
• Lot 13: Grocery Lines.

Choice

• Leading suppliers on contract – providing enhanced range and value from a single source.

More savings

• Pay less – with NHS Supply Chain you have a wider range of product options so you can select the ones that are fit for purpose and value for money.
• Leave your tendering to us – spend less time and money on tendering and let our procurement specialists undertake it on your behalf.
• Back office savings – the efficiency of our service, ranging from e-ordering to consolidated deliveries, enables significant back office savings.

More value

• An integrated approach – the financial benefits of NHS Supply Chain go beyond just product prices. Our approach is an integrated one that reduces cost throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to global logistics, resulting in a much lower total cost.
• Purchasing through our route – when there are changes in the market, we can help minimise the impact of price rises and give support with cost saving initiatives.

Our knowledge and expertise

• Dedicated Acute team and Out of Hospital Care team – your day to day contact for all queries. They will help you identify savings opportunities, solve any issues on your behalf and ensure high service levels are always met.
• NHS Supply Chain Buyers – procurement specialists in their product fields who can give expert advice on new and alternative products.
• Implementation Team – experts in helping you set up the new processes and training required when introducing new products.
• Customer Services Team – with the daily support provided by our dedicated and knowledgeable advisors and service managers you know you are in safe hands.
• Customer Assurance – providing customers with the confidence and assurance of products using a process of clinical evaluation and engagement with clinical users. This ensures all products are clinically assured by the CaPA process, supported by engagement with customers.

Peace of mind

• Dependable deliveries – having access to the know-how and resources of one of the world’s largest logistics companies means we can offer unrivalled dependability and responsiveness when it comes to our delivery services.
• Framework agreement – awarded in accordance with UK procurement legislation.
• Sustainability – Sustainable procurement is embedded into our category management processes to ensure that our suppliers meet requirements for carbon reduction plans, evergreen assessment, modern slavery, social value and NHS England net zero supplier roadmap. Additionally, our logistics partner is certified ISO14001.