Food campaigners have blasted the Government’s poor standards in sourcing its food. A coalition of groups including the RSPCA and the Soil Association has accused the government of failing to lead by example after research revealed new compulsory environmental and ethical standards for food served in public institutions are weaker than those set by fast food chain McDonald’s.

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Alex Jackson, Co-ordinator of the campaign, which represents over 60 organisations, said, "These new standards are feeble. If Government cannot even match McDonald’s food standards, how can anyone take seriously their claim to be the greenest government ever?"

Some comparisons noted by the campaign include:

- Eggs bought by the Government must be laid by hens living in ’enriched’ cages as a minimum, but McDonald’s serve only British free-range eggs

- 50% of coffee bought by the Government has to be fairly traded (e.g. Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certification), but McDonald’s requires 100% of its coffee to meet this standard

- Milk bought by government has to have been produced to UK legal minimum standards of production, but McDonald’s serve only organic milk