That is: ham and bacon. I have really cut out nitrates and nitrites, largely as a side product of reducing my red meat intake but I suspect they'll have a fight on their hands if they try and ban them from hospitals. I do think they should offer a better range of food - I was in hospital for a week a few years back and it was pretty basic fare (I imagine school dinners are more appetising). So upping the amount of vegetables especially pulses would be a good first step but, given the hospital budgets, it'd need a hefty injection of cash. If we can't employ enough nurses or keep enough wards open then extra money for food doesn't seem a high priority.

It's a pity as, nationally better nutrient, along with cutting down really unhealthy practices (smoking, eating sugar and highly processed foods) would make a big difference. I was on the foot and leg ward and was pretty much the only non-smoker and non-diabetic. If people could just manage that then that's almost an entire floor of the hospital (8 wards) that would be largely emptied.

Should we also criticise supermarkets for selling carcinogenic food products?

(Yes, we should)

I am sure there is some argument that the value of making people feel good in hospital, when they possible, and the improvement in outcomes that provides outways the small risk of cancer?