New York City Bans Processed Meats, Overhauls Food Standards

The New York City Health Department is making big changes to meals served across the city, including in schools. Starting next summer, updated Food Standards will introduce new restrictions on artificial colors, additives, and preservatives; expand access to more nutritious snacks and plant-based whole foods; and eliminate processed meats. That means foods like sausages, chicken nuggets, and hamburgers are permanently off the menu. The updated standards will apply to more than 219 million meals and snacks served each year across 11 city agencies, from public schools to hospitals, senior centers, and shelters.

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“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,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who follows a predominantly plant-based diet. “I’ve turned my life around from being pre-diabetic to living a plant-based diet. When we came into office, we committed to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to healthy, fresh foods.”

Can eating more plant-based foods help New Yorkers stay healthy?

The updated standards are part of New York City’s Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy, which reflects growing evidence that diet plays a major role in long-term health.

Eating a Mediterranean-style, whole-food, plant-forward diet is linked to lower risks of type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. In contrast, processed meats have been consistently associated with a higher risk of chronic disease.

“If we are to bend the curve on heart disease, diabetes, and diet-related chronic conditions, we need to harness the power of government food policy to put healthy food within reach for everyone,” said Anupama Joshi, Vice President of Programs with the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

“New York City’s food standards should serve as a model for cities, states, and even the federal government. And this wouldn’t be the first time that the city has led the way.”

New York leads on plant-based initiatives

In 2019, all New York City public schools adopted Meatless Mondays. In 2022, Vegan Fridays followed. Last year, New York University joined the NYC Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge, pledging to introduce more plant-based foods on campus. Other participants include Columbia University, the US Open, Aramark, Morrison Healthcare, and The New York Botanical Garden.

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The new Food Standards are another example of the city embracing healthier, more sustainable eating.

“Each meal we serve is an opportunity to support New Yorkers’ well-being. The updated Food Standards, driven by the best available science, are helping make healthy eating more accessible by ensuring meals are nutritious and culturally relevant,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. 

“Food is an effective tool to fight chronic disease and improve our environment,” she continued. “Baking these Standards into every meal fosters a healthy future for people, communities, and the planet.”