Prue Leith says sales of junk food aren’t restricted by government because they bring in so much tax

PRUE Leith says ministers refuse to restrict sales of fatty foods because they bring in so much tax.

The Great British Bake Off judge described the junk food industry as a “cartel” that was “winning the war” in the UK.

And in a pro-nanny state intervention, the 84-year-old warned Britain faced an “unstoppable trend” towards more obesity.

She said while some government task forces were trying to change things, the Exchequer was happier with sugary foods being popular because of the tax revenue.

Writing in The Oldie magazine, Prue said: “We’re the third-fattest nation in Europe.

“Diet-related diseases kill more people than smoking.

“Yet only ten per cent of us cook meals with fresh ingredients, thousands of households lack a kitchen and half the children arriving at primary school cannot use a knife and fork.

The restaurateur added that the problem was that “junk food is almost irresistible”.

She continued: “Our government, not wanting to act like the nanny state, taxes food high in sugar rather than restrict its sale.

“The more chocolate and ice cream we consume, the happier the Exchequer.”