Ministers are apparently unable to decide whether Scotch eggs are a starter or a substantial meal.
There's confusion over the suddenly important distinction, on which the income of struggling pubs across the country could hang.
New Tier 2 rules, set to take effect tomorrow if approved by MPs tonight, say alcohol can only be served in pubs alongside a 'substantial meal'.
But landlords were left scratching their heads over the definition of a 'meal' - with many pubs seeing Scotch eggs and other traditional bar fayre as a potential lifeline.
Food minister George Eustice said yesterday that a Scotch egg would "probably" count as a meal.
But Mr Gove created further confusion this morning by suggesting it might not, and was "probably a starter".
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Gove told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "As far as I'm concerned it's probably a starter.
"But the broader, more serious point I think we need to establish is there are reasonable rules about hospitality which are there to keep us all safe."
But minutes later he recanted his categorisation, telling ITV News it was a "substantial meal."
He said: "I myself would definitely scoff a couple of Scotch eggs if I had the chance, but I do recognise that it is a substantial meal."
Mr Gove said the definition of the term has existed in law for many years which allows families to buy 16-year-olds an alcoholic drink with a substantial meal, but he could not say what it constituted.
"They (pubs) already do know what the rules are and they have for years now," he said.
"My own preference when it comes to a substantial meal might be more than just a scotch egg but that's because I'm a hearty trencherman.
"The Government is relying on people's common sense."
