Jamie Oliver: 'Parts of South America have been raped by Westernised brands'

The chef has spoken out against the dominance of multinational drinks companies

The latest figures show almost a third of 10- and 11-year-olds and over a fifth of four- to five-year-olds are either overweight or obese (Getty Images)

Jamie Oliver has reportedly accused multinational soft drink corporations of “raping” parts of South America by dominating the market with unhealthy products.

The television chef, who is currently starring in Channel 4 series Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, is taking aim at sugar following campaigns against processed school dinners and child obesity.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, he and childhood friend Jimmy Doherty passionately discussed the alleged impact of Coca Cola and other firms in South America.

Mr Doherty told the newspaper he recently visited a dental hospital in Mexico which treats “three-year-olds with no teeth because they drink so much Coke”.

A Coke delivery in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Rex Features)

“But you go there and the dentists are sitting on branded Coca-Cola chairs, under Coca-Cola umbrellas.” He added. “They’re saturated.”

Mr Oliver reportedly continued: “Parts of South America have been raped by low-quality Westernised brands.”

He called for a tax on sugary drinks in the UK, following France’s move to tackle child obesity and generate revenue for the government, in 2012.

Jamie Oliver famously campaigned for healthier school meals in 2005 (Julian Makey/Rex Features)

“Sugar’s definitely the next evil. It’s the next tobacco, without doubt,” the chef told the Daily Mail, adding that it could “destroy lives” by causing obesity and illness.

In April, Mr Oliver urged political parties to install a “visionary” who could solve the UK’s growing weight crisis.

He clashed with Michael Gove during his time as Education Secretary over his decision to exempt free schools and academies from complying with healthy eating standards previously imposed.