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Food makers' calories cut pledge

Seventeen big-brand food companies including Coca-Cola, Subway and Tesco have pledged to cut calories to help tackle obesity.

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Critics lay into Lansley's calorie counting health mission

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced that 17 major food companies had all agreed to reduce the number of calories in many food products to help with the war on obesity.

But the plans have been heavily criticised as a gimmick that won't improve health:

"[The strategy] is worthless, regurgitated, patronising rubbish. It is simply telling people what they already know - that they need to eat less and move more - is a complete cop out."

– Jamie Oliver, Chef

"It is shameful that the Department of Health is fuelling an industry game of smoke and mirrors instead of demanding enforceable actions to reduce calorie content.

"Without an end to junk food marketing promotions, these token gestures become totally irrelevant.

"We note that the calorie reduction examples only cover small proportions of companies' products and that big names such as McDonald's, Burger King and KFC are conspicuously missing."

– Charlie Powell, campaigns director for the Children's Food Campaign
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Food makers' calories cut pledge

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