English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was forthright in a recent interview regarding the impact of soft drink brands in South America, based on his experiences during a trip to Mexico. Mr Oliver said to the Daily Mail: "Parts of South America have been raped by low-quality Westernised brands".
While in Mexico, the popular chef visited a a dental hospital in Mexico where "three-year-olds with no teeth" were patients "because they drink so much Coke". At the same time, Mr Oliver observed the dental staff using Coca-Cola-branded products in the clinic, such as chairs and umbrellas.
The father of four is also unhappy with the powerful influence of sugar in the 21st century. He expressed a belief that sugar should be taxed, as it is "definitely the next evil. It's the next tobacco, without doubt".
Soft drinks are a key part of the problem for Mr Oliver, as 10 teaspoons of sugar can typically be found in regular soft drink products. He added that sugar holds the potential to "destroy lives", and that the money from a sugar tax should be used to fund nutrition programs.
Mr Oliver, who is an ambassador for the Woolworths supermarket chain, is also described as a food activist and this is not a new subject for him. In a recent interview on 'Good Morning Britain', he emphasised the importance of raising children on high-quality food rather than junk food:
"Kids are not born and programmed to pick up a nugget, or a burger ... So it's our job to make salads, salsas, veg appealing and gorgeous."
He also the stressed the importance of home cooking, and told the audience that if parents learn to cook healthy food, "you will possibly put between 11 and 13 years on your children's life."