Food-led pubs are facing huge hikes in insurance premiums because of the risk of overweight customers making claims against them.
Insurance companies are worried obese people will blame pubs, bars and fast-food restaurants for their condition and make expensive claims for compensation.
The concerns have surfaced after scientists in the United States discovered sugary and fatty foods could be as addictive as nicotine, cocaine or heroin.
Now insurers are warning pubs could pay the price for obese customers who claim they are addicted to unhealthy grub.
In America high-profile lawyer John Banzhaf, who masterminded similar claims against tobacco manufacturers, has written to companies including Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonald's warning them they could face litigation.
And now British pub companies and independent outlets could also be at risk.
The cost of public liability insurance, which covers businesses against claims from customers, has already risen by about a third this year.
Pubs used to be considered low risk as claims against them were rare and generally linked with food poisoning but now insurers are warning publicans to guard against claims from overweight customers.
Insurance group Zurich London, which insures pubs and restaurants, has warned that if underwriters think more claims are imminent they will increase the price of premiums.
Zurich says the tendency to "blame and claim" is growing. It says people are becoming less inclined to think it is their choice and responsibility if they put on weight by over-eating - and pubs need to be prepared for the consequences.
"We are urging the food and drink sector to revisit their risk management policies as insurers will be looking closely at what the sector is doing to demonstrate it is being socially responsible," said head of public liability John Inwood.
And it is not just the food pubs serve that could see them landed with a hefty insurance bill.
Zurich is also concerned that pubs could face claims from customers suffering from alcohol or smoking-related illnesses.
"In the US alcoholic drinks carry health warnings," said Mr Inwood. "I think there is a strong potential for something similar to happen in the UK."
Many companies have already responded to the threat of legal action. Last month Pizza Hut announced it was banning smoking in all its restaurants while many fast-food chains including McDonald's and KFC are selling fruit and salads.
The cost of obesity
- obesity levels in England have trebled in the last 20 years. About one in five adults is obese.
- the most common problems linked to obesity are heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis
- obesity causes 30,000 deaths every year
- obese people cost the NHS £500m every year.
Pictured: US scientists have found that fatty foods such as chips could be as addictive as nicotine, cocaine or heroin.
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Pizza Hut announces ban on smoking (18 August 2003)