RFK Jr. launches voluntary pledge for hospitals to serve healthier food

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday launched the "Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge." 

The voluntary pledge asks hospitals to serve healthier meals that reduce "highly processed foods and prioritize nutrient-dense options" that align with federal dietary guidelines. 

“Patients recovering from serious medical conditions deserve better than ultra-processed and deep-fried junk foods,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said in a statement. 

The pledge also asks hospitals to commit to limiting sugary beverages, deep-fried foods, and artificial additives, while prioritizing whole grains.