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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- More than 250 hospitals nationwide have signed onto a federal initiative aimed at reducing ultra-processed foods and improving nutrition in patient care, federal health officials announced Monday during a visit to West Michigan.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the milestone at Corewell Health's Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine Practice in Grand Rapids, alongside Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The voluntary program, titled the “Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge,” was launched by HHS and CMS in July as part of the administration’s broader public health focus on chronic disease prevention.
Under the voluntary guidelines, participating hospital systems agree to review their food service operations and align meal preparation with federal dietary standards where feasible. Recommended changes include replacing deep-frying with baking or roasting, cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed items, and prioritizing minimally processed proteins, vegetables, and whole grains.
The pledge also encourages hospitals to expand healthier choices for staff and visitors, equip patients with nutrition knowledge they can use after discharge, and support community nutrition programs. These commitments extend the reach of healthier hospital food beyond a patient's stay.
“Hospitals have a responsibility to promote health in every part of patient care, including the food they serve,” Kennedy said during the Grand Rapids event, calling on additional health systems to join the effort.
Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health, stated that the pledge aligns with dietary shifts the health system has been implementing in its patient facilities over recent years.
“We are focused on serving whole foods, cutting back on sugar and sodium and using healthier cooking methods,” Freese Decker said, noting that nutrition education is increasingly integrated into care team discussions with patients.
During Monday’s visit, HHS also introduced a recognition badge for participating facilities labeled “Committed to Excellence in Hospital Nutrition.”
While federal officials are framing the pledge as an essential step toward preventative healthcare, participation remains entirely voluntary for hospitals, with no direct federal mandates or financial penalties attached to purchasing decisions. Hospitals must still comply with baseline Medicare and Medicaid Conditions of Participation (CoPs) requiring facilities to provide nourishing and palatable meals according to recognized dietary practices.
This article contains information provided to the press through an HHS press release