Wondered the same! Can't explain why it would matter. But I trust their judgement if the limit for meals is 5 hours. Not worth the risk. Was very surprised they did not have any contingency plan, like granola bars. I have seen those stocked even on ERJ for extended tarmac delays.

I grabbed as much as I could from the lounge but the GIG lounge is pretty meager to start, and it was thoroughly picked clean. They did happily stay late for us, a gesture they must be repeating tonight as the GIG-DFW flight has gone mech and is estimated out a couple of hours late.

Ahem. MX delays abound!