Nutrition standards are an evidence-based strategy to align meals and snacks with the latest dietary guidance. They are a model for other large institutions and employers, and send a market signal to suppliers to provide competitively priced healthy food options.
2022 Revisions to the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards
The Philadelphia Nutrition Standards, mandated by Executive Order No. 4-14 (see below), were revised in 2022 to align with the 2020-2025 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the updated NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Food Standards. They also reflect recommendations from Department of Public Health staff, other City departments, and community partners.
The Health Department solicited comments on the revised standards by posting them publicly on the City’s website in October 2021 and sharing them with affected City agencies, the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council, and other partners. Reviewers could submit feedback via an online form. Feedback was compiled and evaluated by Health Department staff (see below, Changes to Nutrition Standards Based on Public Feedback).
Voluntary Standards for Hospitals
The Health Department has also developed voluntary standards for hospitals interested in offering healthier options to their patients, staff, and visitors. Hospitals can participate by joining the Good Food, Healthy Hospitals Initiative.
These updated nutrition standards provide the latest dietary guidance for all meals purchased, served, sold, or prepared through City-funded programming.
Required and recommended guidelines designed to help agencies that purchase, serve, sell, or otherwise provide food to clients, patients, employees and the general public.
This toolkit explains in everyday terms how smart procurement and preparation decisions can help your agency's food be healthy, delicious, and comply with the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards.
