Plastic Straws

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB) require the supply of drinking straws intended for use within hospital wards, clinics, and care environments to assist patients who are unable to drink independently or safely without the use of a straw. The product shall be suitable for use with both hot and cold beverages and designed for single-patient use. The straws are intended to support safe and dignified hydration for patients with limited mobility, coordination, or swallowing ability, and to facilitate assisted drinking by healthcare staff. Please see full requirement list below and provide the details to [email protected] - Please include the price and unit of measure. The product shall comply with the following, or equivalent, standards and regulations: • UK Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulations (Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and SI 2019 No. 704) • UK Plastic Packaging Tax (where applicable) • UK Single-Use Plastics Directive exemptions for healthcare or patient-care use • Relevant BS EN standards for plastics in contact with food (e.g., BS EN 1186 series) • Food Safety Act 1990 Material Requirements: • Material: Food-grade polypropylene (PP) or biodegradable plastic alternative (e.g., PLA) suitable for contact with liquids intended for human consumption • Must be non-toxic, BPA-free, latex-free, and phthalate-free • Shall not impart taste, odour, or discoloration to liquids • Must withstand temperatures from 0°C to 70°C without deformation or leaching • Note: Paper or fibre-based materials are not acceptable under this specification Design and Dimensions: • Type: Flexible (bendable) drinking straw • Length: 200 ± 5 mm (standard adult) • Diameter: 6 ± 0.5 mm internal bore (suitable for water, juice, and nutritional supplements) • Colour: Natural, white, or light blue (transparent or translucent preferred) • Surface: Smooth finish with rounded, non-sharp edges to prevent oral injury • Flex section shall be durable and maintain shape after repeated bends • Option for shorter length (e.g., 150 mm) to suit paediatric or specialist care areas (if applicable) Safety and Performance: • Must maintain structural integrity during normal use • Shall not collapse under typical suction pressures (<10 kPa) • No component shall detach or fragment during use • Free from defects such as cracks, splits, or irregularities • Material must comply with food-contact migration limits (overall and specific) as defined in Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 Hygiene and Handling: Straws shall be clean and hygienically manufactured to prevent contamination during production and packing. Products shall be supplied either: • Individually wrapped, or • In hygienic bulk dispensers with protective packaging Packaging must maintain cleanliness until point of use. Product is intended for single-patient use only, not for communal catering or reuse.