Alex Jackson, coordinator of the Campaign for Better Hospital Food, told the Today programme: "I think our disappointment is that the Department of Health has never and is not intending to put the proposals and food standards up for public consultation."
Without an independent body to monitor hospital food standards "how will we know they are being met?" he added.
But Ruthe Isden, health influencing programme director at Age UK, said hospital food quality in England is already monitored by a patient-led inspection process and the Care Quality Commission.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday 29 August.
BBC Radio Four Today programme
29 August 2014
Better Hospital Food: The campaign represents a coalition of organisations calling on the Westminster government to introduce mandatory nutritional, environmental and ethical standards for food served to patients in NHS hospitals in England.
