Former patients will be among the teams carrying out checks on kitchens and wards.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also drawn up tough new minimum dietary standards for the NHS.
They include a limit on salt and fat content, wider choice and more fresh fruit and vegetables on the menu.
Every hospital will be given a manual on how to improve nutrition. And new principles will cover cleanliness, privacy and dignity of patients who may struggle to feed themselves.
From this month, volunteer patients will lead inspections teams to check hospitals are sticking to the rules.
The moves are a victory for the Sun-backed Campaign for Better Hospital Food.
We revealed 82,000 meals are binned every day without being touched because they are inedible.
Mr Hunt said: “I really congratulate The Sun for this campaign because it’s something that needed focus. In terms of getting well, food matters.”
Katherine Murphy, of The Patients Association, said: “We are delighted with these new principles and in particular the patient-led inspections.”
The Hospital Caterers Association said: “Food is integral to patient care.”
14 October 2012
The Sun on Sunday
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.
