21.—(1) The Governor shall ensure that every prisoner is provided with sufficient wholesome and nutritious food and drink, well prepared and presented, which takes into account the prisoner’s age, health, and, so far as reasonably practicable, his religious, cultural or other requirements.
(2) Where the Secretary of State considers that it is not practicable to provide food to prisoners due to exceptional circumstances pertaining in a prison, he may by direction provide that paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to prisoners in that prison until such time as he considers that it is so practicable.
(3) The Governor shall ensure, on a daily basis, that–
(a)he tastes some food and drink prepared for prisoners for the purpose of checking its quality and condition;
(b)he checks that the quantity of food and drink prepared for prisoners is adequate; and
(c)the conditions under which such food and drink are prepared and served are inspected by an officer.
(4) If an officer finds any deficiency as a result of any inspection or sampling in terms of paragraph (3), the Governor shall remedy the deficiency as soon as reasonably practicable.
(5) Except where the Governor or the medical officer so authorises, no prisoner shall receive or possess food or drink other than that which–
(a)is provided in terms of this rule; or
(b)he is permitted to purchase within the prison.