ROBERT F KENNEDY JR, DR. MEHMET OZ: 250 hospitals join the fight for healthier food

The health secretaries announced that 250 US hospitals have joined a pledge to improve the food served to patients and staff. The initiative, launched by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, aims to bring hospital meals into line with healthcare’s goal of supporting recovery and better health.

The article argues that nutritious food can aid healing and that hospital meals can reinforce advice patients receive about healthy eating. It says the US has about 6,100 hospitals and more than 35 million admissions a year, while hospital food services account for nearly $20 billion in annual economic activity. The authors contend that hospitals’ purchasing power could encourage suppliers to offer more minimally processed foods, healthier proteins, fruit and vegetables.