Partnerships between KFC and the McGrath Foundation, Nestle and Jenny Craig, McDonald’s and Weight Watchers, and Domino’s Pizza and the weight-loss show The Biggest Loser have been criticised for trying to make brands famous for selling burgers, fries and lollies appear more healthy.

Jane Martin, of the Obesity Policy Coalition, called this ”weightwashing” – a tactic to convince consumers the fast-food industry was responding to the obesity epidemic, in the same way ”greenwashing” allowed polluting businesses to appear environmentally responsible.

”Junk food manufacturers are at the forefront of this strategy, which is similar to what we have already seen adopted by the tobacco and oil industries,” Ms Martin said.

”It gives them the veneer of corporate social responsibility.”

McDonald’s, Domino’s, Nestle criticised for health charity deals