Government has hit back over allegations that seniors at the Sylvia Richardson home in St. George's are being fed a diet of junk food.

A report in the Mid-Ocean News on Friday alleged the elderly residents were being given takeout pizza and hot dogs because catering staff cannot be found to prepare in-house meals.

However, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said "the seniors are in fact receiving healthy and nutritious meals as prescribed by a public health nutritionist".

The Ministry said while the meals were provided by the owner of Pizza House, the need to provide options with reduced sugar, salt and fat had been discussed.

According to a list of food provided by the spokesperson, the seniors have breakfasts that feature fruit, eggs, sausages and pancakes, with lean meat and baked or steamed fish for lunch and soup and sandwiches for dinner.