The food industry is under increasing scrutiny for its heavy marketing of junk food, 'super size' portions and promotional offers as the UK government tries to stop the growing incidence of obesity and educate consumers about healthy eating.
Food makers present at the hearing of the Commons health select committee, including Cadbury Schweppes, Pepsi and Kelloggs, denied responsibility for the rise in obesity and said that current marketing methods had little effect on what most people ate.
But according to chairman of the committee David Hinchliffe, calorie content currently listed on food labels is poorly understood by the public and he called for blunter warnings on junk food so that people know how much exercise they need to take to burn off the high calories consumed in fast food.
Earlier this month, the International Obesity Taskforce warned that more than 40 per cent of men and women in the UK could be obese within a generation. Obesity rates are three times the level they were in 1980 and the very severe Class 3 obesity levels have begun to rise
But speaking at the hearing yesterday Andrew Cosslett, regional MD of Cadbury Schweppes, suggested that the marked reduction in activity levels and change in family meal patterns, including the boom in convenience food and out of home and fast food eating played a significant role in the rise in obesity.
"From childhood, we are taught to understand that confectionery is a treat and to manage our consumption accordingly. The confectionery industry helps people to do so - our products are available in a wide array of portion sizes and are clearly labelled with the calories they contain."
He added: "It is important that society acts with urgency but solutions must be based on robust analysis. We recommend that an inclusive group is created to look at how the whole of the food chain industry can improve on existing nutritional advice."
The committee is however considering whether to introduce restriction on television advertising of high-fat and sugary foods during children's viewing times. The Health Select Committee will publish its recommendations early next year.