WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced Monday that hospitals must align food service with updated federal dietary guidelines emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods to maintain eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid payments.

The directive came via a Quality and Safety Special Alert issued by CMS on Monday morning, directing hospitals to prioritize meals that reduce ultra-processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined carbohydrates and added sugars while focusing on protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and other whole foods, according to HHS officials.

Kennedy made the remarks during a stop on his “Take Back Your Health” tour at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where he highlighted a new farm-to-hospital partnership with Florida growers to supply fresh food directly to patient trays. He described hospital food as an often-overlooked aspect of care that should support recovery and help combat chronic disease.

“Dr. Oz sent out a health and safety notice to every hospital in this country at 11 o’clock this morning, asking them now to align their food purchases with the dietary guidelines in order to enjoy continued eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare payments,” Kennedy said, according to video and reports from the event.

Oz, who joined Kennedy at the roundtable, criticized typical hospital meals as “poorly prepared” and lacking in nutritional value needed for healing. Officials framed the move as an incentive rather than a heavy-handed requirement, noting that many hospital leaders have expressed support for better nutrition standards and need help navigating procurement changes.

“We’re going to bring all the hospitals in the country in line with good food, and this is not something that we need to force hospitals to do. They want it,” Kennedy added. “We have talked with them. They need the incentive, and this is going to help them with their procurement companies … the fact that it’s now essentially a federal mandate.”

The announcement builds on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released earlier this year by HHS and the USDA under Kennedy’s leadership. Those guidelines shifted emphasis toward “real food” — whole, minimally processed options — and away from highly processed items, marking a significant update from prior versions.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital signed the first statewide “Food is Health: Take Back Your Health” pledge in Florida, committing to source more locally grown produce and nutrient-dense meals for patients.

Officials said the guidance encourages hospitals to integrate nutrition into quality improvement programs and update menus and procurement practices accordingly. There was no immediate detail on enforcement timelines or specific penalties beyond continued eligibility for federal payments.

The push is part of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative aimed at reducing chronic disease through prevention, including better nutrition in federal programs and institutions.

Hospital industry reaction was not immediately available, though Kennedy said leaders he has spoken with are supportive.

The CMS alert reinforces existing obligations for hospitals to provide high-quality nutrition care as part of patient safety and quality standards.

VINnews will continue to monitor developments on this policy and its implementation across U.S. hospitals.