The Government and food industry have defended themselves against criticism that they are failing to take the UK's obesity epidemic seriously.

The Commons Health Committee condemned ministers, the NHS, food manufacturers and advertisers for not doing enough to tackle expanding waistlines.

Their report made recommendations to kick-start weight loss amid gloomy predictions of a future in which serious diseases caused by obesity would be common and children would die before their parents.

England has the fastest-growing problem in Europe. Childhood obesity has tripled in 20 years.

The report calculated that obesity costs Britain £7.4 billion a year.

The committee called for a voluntary withdrawal of TV advertising of junk food to children, highlighting campaigns using sports stars and celebrities to promote crisps and chocolate.

MPs warned that if action was not taken by the industry within three years, the Government should step in to introduce more direct regulation.

A "traffic light" system should be introduced on food labelling to show consumers the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods.

Red would indicate foods high in calories, amber medium levels and green low.

The report called for a Cabinet-level public health committee to oversee action on obesity across departments.

The National Consumer Council welcomed the labelling idea.

Food manufacturers breathed a sigh of relief as the committee did not recommend a "fat tax".

Thursday May 27, 2004