A minister for food should be created so that British consumers are encouraged to eat more healthily, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has said.
Speaking in front of the Commons health committee, Oliver said the individual ought to “inspire” local authorities into coming up with healthier food alternatives.
The chef also said that a high number of British people are not sufficiently skilled to spend less on food but still make healthy meals – a problem that may intensify due to the looming recession.
He said: “This is the first time in British history where you haven’t got most of the population able to cook and you can statistically see where people are spending their money now and fast food options are up.”
All social classes are affected in the problems, Oliver said.
This year, the chef has been involved in a number of healthy eating drives, such as feed a family for £5 with Sainsbury’s.
Oliver also highlighted the conditions some chickens are reared in, prompting a rise in free-range sales.
