Communications

(Aug. 14, 2026) – In March of this year, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the Hospital Nutrition Service Obligations in Light of Updated Federal Nutrition Guidelines memo to communicate hospital food service expectations. In 42 CFR 482.28 and 42 CFR 485.635 (a)(3)(vi), the CMS Conditions of Participation, when referring to required policies, state, "The policies include the following:…. Procedures that ensure that the nutritional needs of inpatients are met in accordance with recognized dietary practices." The "recognized dietary practices" were updated in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, to include, but are not limited to:

• Limit ultra-processed food options.
• Eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages unless clinically appropriate.
• Eliminate refined grains and replace them with 100 percent whole-grain products.

The CMS memo also states, "hospitalization is an education opportunity." In a clarifying conversation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Bureau of Facilities and Licensing, the bureau expects hospitals to comply with the dietary CoPs by providing the recommended healthy options as best able and to ensure that documentation clearly shows the education provided. The bureau also recognizes that patients' rights must be followed and encourages hospitals to do their best and to document.

The Region 7 CMS office is also offering hospitals the opportunity to participate in a virtual briefing, focused on how hospitals can join its national initiative to improve the nutritional quality of food served in healthcare settings. The virtual event is free and runs from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26. For more information and to register, visit Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge - Stakeholder Briefing.
--Larry Van Der Wege