HHS officials launched their "Make Hospital Food Healthier" Pledge campaign Wednesday, saying that the program will promote long-term wellness.
"Patients recovering from serious medical conditions deserve better than ultra-processed and deep-fried junk foods," HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a press release. "Today, we're challenging hospitals across the country to lead by example by serving nutritious, minimally processed meals that help patients heal, reduce chronic disease, and help make America healthy again."
Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), noted that "when it comes to managing chronic disease, reducing comorbidities like obesity, and shortening recovery times, a healthy diet can make all the difference."
"Hospitals should nourish patients with the same commitment they bring to every other aspect of care," he added. "That's why we're challenging hospitals to limit ultra-processed foods, feature nutritious meals that promote healing, and lead the way in delivering prevention-first, whole-person care."
The voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge includes commitments to:Limit ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beveragesUse baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled cooking methods instead of deep fryingLimit processed meats and foods high in added sugars, sodium, and artificial additivesEmphasize whole grains over refined grainsPrioritize minimally processed proteins, including plant-based options
