THE canteen at the ERI has been criticised by a watchdog for serving fatty, salty meals.
But the company providing the meals only recently won a prestigious health certificate from the Scottish Government.
An investigation by consumer magazine Which? criticised the quality of food served up in the canteen at Little France, saying it b
roke Food Standards Agency guidelines.
The report added that the ERI dished up more pies, pastries and sausage rolls than any other hospital in the UK.
It has emerged, however, that only two months ago Holyrood awarded Consort Healthcare a good practice healthy living certificate, which covers the organisation until 2010.
Despite verdicts from Which? stating the lasagne at the ERI broke fat and salt limits – and was heavier than any other investigated – the certificate was awarded on the basis of Consort's "minimum" levels of saturated fats, salts and sugars being included in meals.
Chairwoman of the Scottish Patient's Association, Margaret Watt, said: "If you can't serve pies and pastries in school, why on earth are they so prevalent in hospitals?
"If its prudent for schools it must be for hospitals and this should have been addressed a long time ago."
However, investigators also said promotion of healthy eating was the best in the country, and they reserved special praise for signs that read: "Buy fresh fruit today instead of confectionery".
Four years ago, the News smuggled food out from the hospital, which was described as "like chewing cardboard".
This week, a hospital watchdog expressed surprise at how good the meals were.
John Jack, director of facilities for NHS Lothian, today
said: "We have been awarded a number of healthy eating awards for the high standards and quality of the food in sites across NHS Lothian. "Catering at the ERI is the responsibility of our private sector partners who are ultimately in control of the content and production of meals.
"The dining facilities are currently being refurbished and we are working closely with our partners to improve the availability of healthy choices."
A spokeswoman for Consort said: "Consort Healthcare and its service provider, Haden Building Management, provides a wide range and varied choice of meals, including a range of healthy options.
"We are committed to providing a quality of food which we were able to demonstrate, together with our commitment to a programme of continuous improvement, when we were judged for the Scottish Consumer Council & Scottish Government's Healthy Living Award for 2008 to 2010."
The full article contains 418 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
