Full to bursting for healthy grilling

By Nick Assinder BBC News Online political correspondent

For militant veggies and health fanatics everywhere, this was probably the very embodiment of everything they dislike.

The health committee is examining obsesity

Representatives from all their pet hate figures were gathered in Commons committee room 15 to face a cross examination by MPs investigating obesity.

And they were all there and, unlike the panel of MPs, not a fatty amongst them.

McDonalds, Cadbury Schweppes, PepsiCo and Kellogg's - "think of us and you think of the breakfast table" apparently - were all represented.

Health advice

And, like a teenager after a mega-beef-extra-fat big-whopper-burger and double fries, the room was stuffed to bursting.

Indeed any overly obese members of the public would almost certainly have been barred from entry by the cop on the door on health grounds.

No sign of Ronald himself

And the witnesses were uniformly concerned and well intentioned.

All said they offer plenty of health advice to their customers in a responsible, caring and only just a little bit profit-driven manner.

And all do their bit to offer healthy food in the shape of diet, low sugar or low fat options.

And no, their advertising and promotions, like giveaway toys, are not designed to encourage youngsters into stuffing themselves cross eyed with their food - no matter how "happy" the meal.

Press ups

It is all about lifestyle (what else), energy balance and the Golden Rule - not a new 12 inch long burger - but the slogan "calories in and calories out."

HAVE YOUR SAY There is a lack of awareness in the general public of the importance of regular exercise and healthy eating. Steve Hart, England Send us your comments

Snack food and drink should be seen only as part of a wider, healthy diet supplemented by exercise.

Indeed, the man from McDonalds revealed it was the biggest provider of pre-packaged fresh fruit in the UK.

And, make no mistake, said the man from Pepsi, snacks are real food.

The man from Kellogg went further. He would like to see the nation's children eating Coco Pops, or another cereal, every morning for breakfast.

As we have had hammered into us day after day, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and kiddies often don't partake. So, according to Kellogg's, a bowl of cereal is just the ticket.

And, questioned about his Curly Wurlies, the man from Cadbury insisted there was "no correlation between confectionary consumption and obesity."

Responsible image

Similarly, said the man from McDonalds, he feeds his company's products to his children two or three times a month - and it is "fun."

But would you let customers eat them three or four times a week or more, he was asked.

"It is not up to us to tell our customers what to eat."

Those giving evidence presented a pretty good, responsible image and a robust case.

And they all appeared quite open to the idea of a universal health labelling system for their products.

Although the day we see warning labels on snacks is probably still some way off.