UK government seeks health policy advice...from fast food companies

By Sarah Best.

Yes, unfortunately you did read that right.

In a move that campaigners have compared to "handing smoking policy over to the tobacco industry", the UK government has set up five "networks" - dominated by what can only be called highly vested industry interests - to advise it on matters of health policy. 

Yes - The Department of Health has asked none other than McDonald's, KFC, PepsiCo and Mars for advice on tackling various diet and health issues, including the obesity crisis. Also called upon by the government to lend their expertise in this area are several other peddlers of processed food - including the catering company outed by Jamie Oliver for including the much-maligned Turkey Twizzler in its school lunch menus.

What on earth is going on? Next thing we know the government will be appointing the head of The Wine and Spirit Trade Association as a key adviser on responsible alcohol consumption. Ah......it already has.