Health Minister Jonathan Coleman tried to draw a line under the Dunedin Hospital food controversy by sampling the meals at a hastily arranged luncheon yesterday.
Dr Coleman has been under renewed pressure over the meals, which are supplied by Compass Group, because patients have been posting unappetising photos of them on social media, and Labour's health spokeswoman Annette King goaded Dr Coleman to eat them.
The luncheon, which was not on the official programme for yesterday's visit, was "excellent'', and people ought to adjust their expectations, Dr Coleman said later.
Dr Coleman ate bolognese and pasta, pea and ham soup, and a sandwich.
Media were not allowed into the taste test luncheon, but were ushered into a room later and encouraged by staff to taste replica meals.
Generously portioned, they were a stark contrast to some of the images of meals published by patients.
Dr Coleman said nothing "special'' had been prepared for him.
The meals were "standard Kiwi fare'' of a type many New Zealanders ate every day.
The stunt featured on television news last night, and prompted an irate reaction on social media, with some people claiming it had been a set-up.
When Dr Coleman was asked yesterday why so many patients were complaining about issues like hospital food, and elective surgery waiting times, he said some of the people were likely to be Government opponents.
"I think a certain amount of it will be criticism of the Government in general, and people who don't necessarily support us.''
Dr Coleman was asked to comment on research published yesterday in the New Zealand Medical Journal that highlights the plight of hip and knee patients in Otago.
A growing number are missing out on surgery, the article says.
Dr Coleman said he had not read the article, and could not comment on it, but the Government was "doing more all the time'' in respect of elective surgery, and operation numbers were increasing.
Under a controversial deal approved last year, Southern District Health Board outsourced its hospital meals, and meals on wheels, for 15 years.
In a statement, Compass said the food shown in some recent media reports was not reflective of the overall quality of the meals patients receive.
Dr Coleman also toured the hospital's oncology day unit, chatting to patients.
Yesterday morning, he gave a speech at the National Rural Health Conference, which is being held in Dunedin.
