Health alarm over fast-food growth

People need to change their attitude towards food, health groups say following announcements from fast food chains about UK expansion.

Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said: “The rise of the fast food chain is tied to the credit crunch and will cause higher levels of obesity.”

He said that the “supply and demand” for cheaper take-away food could be combated if people ate more slowly and took regular exercise.

“A huge number of people can’t cook themselves so they go to fast food restaurants,” Mr Fry said.

Demand

Domino’s Pizza, Burger King and KFC have all announced a large increase in profits and plans for expansion.

KFC will be opening 200 to 300 new restaurants across the UK in the next three to five years in a £1.5 million investment.

Chief executive of KFC, Martin Shuker, said: “Our growth strategy demonstrates the strong demand from our customers; consumers clearly still want great quality food but at reasonable prices and that is exactly what we provide.”

The move will create 9,000 new jobs but some health organisations fear that they will end up costing the country more by creating a rise in obesity levels.

“It is good news that any new jobs are being created in the current economic downturn,” said Dr Jacquie Lavin, Nutritionist and Health Partnership Manager for Slimming World.

“But the fast food industry needs to be aware that as it grows so does its responsibility to improve nutrition, provide healthier options and reduce salt and saturated fat content.”

Story by Helen Varley