A couple of days ago supermarkets were being criticised for focusing promotions too much on unhealthy foods. Just noticed this at Asda.com - who point out that the government charge no VAT on "essential foods" which includes frozen pizza and chips, but charges the full 17.5% on healthier items like smoothies and fruit juices. Asda want the government to reduce the VAT on healthy foods to 5% (which is the lowest they can go under EU law).

The government's all very good when it comes to using duties and taxes to punish "bad" behaviour like smoking, drinking or polluting. How about they put their money where their mouth is and give us a break for "good" things?

Downing Street have issued a non-response to a petition calling on them to prevent GP surgeries from using expensive, revenue-generating 084 and 087 phone numbers.

The government has said that the patient shouldn't be expected to pay more than a local call but companies have traditionally lied/manipulated their way around this using the vague definition of what constitutes a local call charge (something I've discussed previously).

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It seems a fitting title in light of the recent hunger striker memorials; tonight I watched a documentary presented by overweight comedian Ricky Grover on BBC Three (part of their Body Image Season) entitled F*** off, I'm fat. Subtle, eh? The documentary team followed Mr Grover as he and some incredibly obese people complained about how hard it was being fat. The thing that tickled me most though, was the mention that in America (where, unsurprisingly, most of these studies are carried out) it's been estimated that on average a "seriously obese" person breaks 3 toilets a year.

Is this the future facade of public conveniences?

With the enterprising culture of the US, some genius has come up with industrial strength, economy size toilets that are tested for support of up to a tonne in weight, instead of the 20 stone of a standard toilet.

The main problem with the thrust of the programme was that, entertaining as it was, it was essentially an hour-long MOPE. Grover and his fat friends spent the hour complaining and moaning about all the things they have to struggle with daily, such as the arms of seats on the tube digging in, problems finding clothes (or motor vehicles) they can fit into and even travelling by plane. Yes, at a time when estimates are emerging that one-third of adults will be obese by 2010, and experts are saying IVF for obese women is both dangerous and wasteful, this documentary is trying to shift the responsibility for obesity away from obese people!

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It's welcome news that McDonald's are going to start putting nutritional information about their foods on the packaging itself instead of just making it available in an online nutrition counter or (sometimes) on leaflets in store. McDonald's has been going healthy (well, healthier) for some time now and one look at their website will show you they're focusing more on deli sandwiches and other healthier options in an effort to keep up with changing trends, but does this really mean much?

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