The welfare food scheme for pregnant women, mothers and young children with low incomes should be more generous, include a wider range of food and be available from a wider range of outlets, said respondents to a government consultation on reform of the scheme.

But it was important to be clear exactly what foods would be included, they said.

The government is proposing a major reform of the scheme as part of the NHS Plan. The scheme was introduced as a universal provision in 1940 but is now means-tested. A scientific review concluded that it did not meet the wider nutritional needs of pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children. It could act as a disincentive to breastfeeding by offering free infant formula.

The proposed changes include replacing the vouchers for milk, and milk powder with a voucher for "healthy" foods. The new scheme, called Healthy Start, is expected to be introduced in 2004.