A public sector healthy food initiative could raise supply chain costs, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) fears.

The Healthier Food Mark, which is expected to be launched next April, is designed to improve the nutritional content and sustainability of food and drink in public sector canteens.

All caterers that meet guidelines on fruit and vegetable content and reduced saturated fat, sugar and salt, would be able to display the mark. The initiative was first proposed in the Cabinet Office's Food Matters report, which was published last year.

Although the government insists the scheme will be cost-neutral, manufacturers are not convinced. They also say the local sourcing agenda could harm larger international suppliers.

The FDF said the supply and quality of local and seasonal food could vary considerably, raising costs and limiting availability. As a result Charlotte Lawson, FDF director of member services, said the mark was "not particularly well thought through"

The Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) and the FDF, whose members provide catering services and supply food and drink to UK Local Authorities, are in talks with the government on the mark.

A LACA spokeswoman said at this early stage, it could not express a view. However, she added: "We believe in increasing the healthy options for caterers to provide good food for children."