The updated NYC food standards aim to support the health of more than one million New Yorkers, including schoolchildren, older adults, NYC Health and hospitals patients as well as others accessing meals or snacks from city agencies.
It builds on the progress to serve healthier meals to New Yorkers since the food standards were launched in 2008. The food standards apply to over 219 million meals and snacks served annually across 11 city agencies.
Major updates include:
- Expanding the restriction on low- and no-calorie sweeteners in food and beverages served to all ages from a previous limit that applies to children age 18 and younger
- Establishing new restrictions on all artificial colours and certain flour additives and preservatives
- Eliminating all processed meats
- Increasing the requirement for serving whole or minimally processed plant protein foods
- Strengthening snack requirements to improve variety and nutrition quality
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said: "I often say, when it comes to your health, it's not just what is in your DNA, it's also what is in your dinner. I've turned my life around from being pre-diabetic to living a plant-based diet, and when we came into office, we committed to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to healthy, fresh foods.
“I commend the Health Department and our Office of Food Policy for updating standards for foods served across city agencies. By looking at the meals we serve, we are making New Yorkers healthier and achieving our mission of making New York City the best place to raise a family."