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Separate figures published yesterday revealed the wide gap in the amount hospitals spend on food for in-patients, with some trusts spending as little as £4.15 per day for each patient.

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust's outlay on food was less than half the national average of £9.87, and less than a fifth of the average £21.65 spent on each patient at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Across the country, the average cost of feeding a patient increased by £1.10 from £8.77 in 2011-12 to £9.87 in 2012-13.

Alex Jackson, coordinator of the Campaign for Better Hospital Food, said more hospitals should produce fresh meals in their own kitchens, rather than buying them in from outside.

"The Government must introduce mandatory standards for all hospital food to end this postcode lottery and make sure all patients get nourishing, high quality meals," he said.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Although the NHS is spending more on patient meals, there is still too much variation across the country. Our patient-led inspections are already helping to drive up standards and reduce variation in hospital food."