SOUTH Swindon MP Julia Drown has backed calls for fast food counter staff to tell customers they are eating unhealthy, fatty and potentially dangerous junk food.

Politicians on the health select committee clashed with food industry chiefs over their sales tactics and products, as part of an investigation into the nation's expanding waistlines.

Swindon MP Julia Drown, who served as a member of the powerful committee, backed the hard line and insisted that lives were at stake.

She said: "The message must get out that if people eat too many burgers, too many sweets or other junk food their health will suffer.

"It is important we all understand these foods are potentially dangerous. Like alcohol they must be treated carefully and only consumed in moderation."

During the evidence session on Thursday, MPs quizzed burger boss Julian Hilton-Johnson on McDonalds' policy, and asked why nutritional information was not given to customers when they ordered meals.

MPs also suggested that people eating too often in junk food restaurants should be given pub-style cooling off periods and refused service when they have 'had enough'.

And customers should be advised by sales staff not to "go large" an option in which a normal burger meal gets upgraded to a supersize feast for a small extra cost.

But the burger chain chief insisted that most people ate in McDonalds two or three times a month, adding this was compatible with healthy living and a balanced diet. He also claimed that promotions giving away toys with McDonalds' meals were not aimed specifically at children and could not be blamed for rising obesity among youths.

Senior figures from cereals giant Kellogg's, fizzy drinks company Pepsi and chocolate firm Cadbury's were also grilled at the hearing, as MPs try to decide if there need to be measures to tackle increasing obesity.

Moves being considered by the health committee include a tobacco-style health warning making clear how much exercise it would take to burn off a meal, can of fizzy drink or chocolate bar before tucking in.

However the food chiefs rejected any comparison with tobacco and said people must be free to eat what they choose.

And Andrew Cosslett, managing director of Cadbury Schweppes in Europe, said there was no link between obesity and consumption of chocolate bars.

He said an active child could eat a packet of sweets a day and still be healthy.

editor@newswilts.co.uk