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Hospital patients in New York are guaranteed a plant-based option every mealtime under a new law.
The state passed the ‘landmark’ bill to offer plant-based food in hospitals back in March. It has now been signed into law by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on December 6.
‘Nutritionally equivalent’
Bill S1471A/A4072 also requires hospitals to list the plant-based options on all written materials and menus and for plant-based options to be ‘nutritionally equivalent’ to other menu items
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a non-profit organization with around 12,000 doctor members, ‘applauds’ the recent passing of the law.
“By making plant-based meals the law in hospitals, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has put New York on the forefront of a growing movement to ensure that hospitals provide patients healthy, plant-based meals to fight heart disease, diabetes, and obesity,” said Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., Director of Nutrition Education for the PCRM.
‘Extensive vegan menu’
Last year, an NHS Hospital Trust launched what it described as an ‘extensive vegan menu’ in a bid to improve the experiences of patients.
East Lancashire Hospitals Trust welcomed plant-based bean burgers as well as stir-fried veg and quinoa to its offerings – with Tim Radcliff, Catering Manager for East Lancashire Hospitals Trust [ELHT], stating the trust is ‘focused on improving the whole patient experience’.
“We are continually improving the food experience for everyone who uses our facilities, and for some time we have been working on enhancing our provisions for vegans,” he added.
