Food waste is an inverse measure of consumer acceptability of the food as served and hence a potential determinant of food quality. The plate waste of patients was examined by a visual method at one hospital. Patients were asked to record after each item on their menu the amount consumed in quantitative terms: None, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, all. The survey showed that 65% of all patients surveyed left some of their food during hospitalization. Mean wastes for soups and meat side dishes were found to be larger than those for cooked meals and vegatable side dishes. At the same time, a questionnaire survey was used to determine the view of patients of key aspects of the hospital foodservice system. The majority of patients surveyed left their cooked meal because of low appetite, whereas patients indicated that `Food is not tasty` was the primary reason for leaving soups and other side dishes. `Satisfaction scores were significantly correlated with the patients` age and appetite at the time.