Federal Update: The National Hospital Food Pledge

October 29, 2026

More than 250 hospitals across the nation have signed the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, federal officials said in an update this week.

Here’s what you need to know:

• About the pledge:   Participating hospitals commit to reviewing and aligning their food service practices with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, where clinically appropriate and feasible.
  • This can include limiting ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages; prioritizing minimally processed proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; and baking, roasting, and grilling instead of deep frying.
• Beyond the cafeteria:  The pledge also encourages hospitals to expand healthier choices for staff and visitors and support community nutrition programs.
• Who’s signed up:  The full list of signees is available online.
• Quotable:  “This pledge is about a simple idea: the important role hospitals play in helping Americans build healthier lives, both during their stay and after they leave,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

HAP and Pennsylvania’s hospitals continue to focus on improving the health of their communities, which includes prioritizing health food options in health care facilities. Learn more about the HAP-supported Good Food, Healthy Hospitals initiative, which helps Pennsylvania hospitals increase offerings of nutritious, locally sourced foods for patients, staff, and visitors.