‘Junk food is the new tobacco’: experts call for restrictions to tackle obesity

Scientists and health campaigners want bans on outlets near schools and an advertising watershed

Ministers should regulate processed food as heavily as tobacco to tackle the massive national challenge" of the UK's obesity crisis, health experts have warned.

They have urged severe restrictions on supermarket promotions of processed foods, and bans on fast food outlets near schools, and TV adverts for pizzas, burgers and similar foods before 9pm. One campaign group even urged the government to consider plain packaging for processed food.