Plant-Based Meals Become Legal Requirement For Hospitals In New York
A landmark bill now makes it law for hospitals in the state to provide nutritious plant-based meals, in the fight against preventable chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
Credit: Anna Pelzer on Unsplash
A new law now makes it a legal requirement for hospitals in New York State to serve healthy plant-based foods at every meal.
The landmark bill S1471A/A4072, introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, came into effect this month on Dec. 6 after it was signed into law last year.
Now, New York State hospitals must offer plant-based meals and snacks containing no animal products, as well requiring hospitals to list the available plant-based options on all written materials and menus.
“This law gives physicians a teachable moment to discuss with patients the power of a plant-based meal to help prevent and reverse conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity,” says Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., director of nutrition education for the Physicians Committee.
The committee points out that nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers have diabetes, and heart disease accounts for 40 percent of all deaths in New York State, according to figures from the New York State Department of Health. And research repeatedly shows that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans can help fight the likes of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.
New York’s new law follows similar legislation already introduced by other states, including the Healthy Hospitals Amendment Act of 2019 in Washington, D.C., which aims to eliminate processed meat such as bacon and hot dogs from hospital menus and make plant-based options available, and California's 2018 bill requiring plant-based meals in hospitals.
New York politician and public figure Eric Adams is among the many supporters advocating for more plant-based food in public institutions. Adams’ campaigning comes after he helped reverse and cure his own diabetes and partial blindness back in 2016, after making the switch from animal products to a plant-based diet.
Looking to eat more plant-based foods to benefit your health, the animals, and the environment? Check out our Eating Vegan guide for tips, recipes and more!
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