Enteral Products Safety Group
What is the EPSG (Enteral Products Safety Group)?
The EPSG (Enteral Products Safety Group) is an associate member of BSNA representing the majority of leading UK enteral feeding device suppliers. The EPSG discusses enteral feeding device safety from both a clinical and manufacturing perspective.
Regularly participating in EPSG meetings is the clinical representation from the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group (PENG) of the British Dietetic Association (BDA), National Nurse Nutrition Group (NNNG) and supported by Patients On Intravenous & Nasogastric Nutrition Therapy (PINNT), British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) and British Pharmaceutical Nutrition Group (BPNG).
Our vision is to be recognised as the definitive and trusted voice of the enteral products industry committed to improving patient safety and clinical outcomes; and our mission is:
- To represent the enteral products industry
- To ensure that all patients have optimal access to high quality enteral product devices through choice and innovation
- To deliver education and awareness and best practice, including in relation to the environment and sustainability
- To promote collaboration between industry, healthcare professionals, patient groups and their Associations
The term ‘enteral feeding device’ refers to any type of feeding tube that is placed into the gastro-intestinal tract, i.e. nasogastric (NG), nasojejunal (NJ), gastrostomy (Button, PEG/RIG) or jejunostomy (JEJ), as well as giving/extension sets, syringes and enteral feeding pumps.
BSNA Factsheet from the EPSG: 6 Steps for Tube Care - A factsheet for Adults and Children
The Enteral Products Safety Group (EPSG), along with input from BDA PENG, NNNG and PINNT, has developed a factsheet as a general guide to safe care of tubes and their use, including tube blockages, washing syringes, stoma, tube and pump care.
This fact sheet is a general guide, and not intended as a comprehensive training package on all aspects of tube blockages, washing syringes, stoma, tube and pump care and is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
The full document can be viewed here.
CE and UKCA marking: The new requirements for placing a Medical Device on the market in the United Kingdom (UK)
BSNA EPSG CE and UKCA markings 20230612 To find out more about the transitional changes taking place to the CE marking on medical device placed on the market in the United Kingdom click here.
Enteral Products Safety Group (EPSG) Statement: The Use of Blended Diet with Enteral Feeding Tubes Practice Toolkit (2026)
November 2026
The British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA) acknowledges that dietitians are increasingly involved in managing home enteral tube feeding patients using some form of homemade blended food, either exclusively or in combination with commercial enteral formulas.1
Commercial enteral feeds are designed and tested to be nutritionally adequate, consistent in composition and to support clinical outcomes. All pumps and associated equipment are tested with commercial enteral feeds.
BSNA recommends that any patient or carer wishing to administer a blended diet, whether by syringe or via their enteral feeding pump, should do so following a shared decision-making approach with a qualified healthcare professional. This supports patient preference whilst minimising any associated clinical, practical or safety risks regarding consistency, nutritional adequacy, and the potential for tube blockage.
In line with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Practice Toolkit: The Use of Blended Diet with Enteral Feeding Tubes1, in circumstances where a patient, guardian or carer chooses to opt for a blended diet enteral tube feed, it is the responsibility of the managing healthcare professional to advise them and agree what is needed to support the person's choice safely. This advice should also align with local NHS Trust, Integrated Care Board (ICB) or Health Boards policies.
NICE guidance (CG139) focuses on infection prevention and recommends the use of pre‑packaged, ready‑to‑use enteral feeds where possible2, but does not provide explicit guidance on the use of blended diets. In the absence of NICE‑specific recommendations, UK professional guidance such as the BDA Practice Toolkit is commonly referenced to support evidence‑informed practice.
In addition to standard feeds, some enteral feeding devices may be compatible with blended diets, but only under the guidance of a healthcare professional. The EPSG recommends always consulting the device Instructions for Use (IFU) or manufacturer guidance to ensure safe and appropriate use. When determining the composition and volume of nutrition, it is important to recognise that all enteral feeding devices share a common limiting factor: the ENFit connection system and feed set design, which may restrict viscosity, flow rate, and particle size.
1. S. Durnan, et al (2026) The Use of Blended Diet with Enteral Feeding Tubes Practice Toolkit (2026). British Dietetic Association and BAPEN
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). CG139 Healthcare‑associated infections: prevention and control (2012, updated 2017), Recommendation 1.3.2.1.
The full statement can be downloaded here.
