AHA backs HHS' voluntary 'Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge'
The administration is seeking voluntary commitments from hospitals to serve less processed foods in line with recently updated dietary guidelines, which officials said will boost chronic disease prevention and general long-term wellness.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received support from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and three major health systems on Friday for their "Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge." The AHA's President and CEO, Rick Pollack, expressed the organization's commitment to helping hospitals with appropriate resources ensure patients have access to nourishing meals.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., emphasized that hospitals must prioritize nutrition at the center of patient care by eliminating deep-fried foods, limiting sugar-sweetened beverages, and reducing foods high in added sugars, sodium, or artificial additives. The pledge, unveiled in early July, aligns with HHS's emphasis on nutrition as a factor in chronic disease prevention and general long-term wellness.
Written by urgent.news from Fierce Healthcare's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.