Ex-Health Secretary rants about Domino’s ‘disgusting’ new treat and says companies ‘should be ashamed of themselves’

Whether it’s emergency room wait times, the sharp rise in the number of obese children or the waiting lists for cancer treatments, there’s plenty to be angry about when it comes to the country’s health.

But what has most infuriated a former health minister, it seems, is a cream egg.

Earlier this week, pizza chain Domino’s announced a new collaboration with Cadbury’s, wrapping a whole creme egg in a chocolate chip cookie.

And while many were excited about the brew, Lord Bethell, who worked at the Department of Health and Social Care during the Covid pandemic, seemed deeply offended by the merger.

While many were enthusiastic about the brew, Lord Bethell (pictured), who worked at the Department of Health and Social Care during the Covid pandemic, appeared deeply offended by the merger.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Tory peer wrote: ‘This is disgusting. A whole Cadbury creme egg in a Domino’s biscuit.

‘These are serious food companies. What are they thinking?

‘The executive team, the board and the shareholders should be ashamed.

‘It’s not illegal. But it is harmful. It will weigh heavily on their future career prospects. And it’s disgusting.’

He then shared photos of members of Domino’s board of directors, adding: ‘It flies in the face of their noble-sounding corporate social responsibility commitments.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Tory peer wrote: ‘This is disgusting. A whole Cadbury creme egg in a Domino’s biscuit. ‘These are serious food companies. What are they thinking? ‘The executive team, the board and the shareholders should be ashamed. ‘It’s not illegal. But it is harmful. It will weigh heavily on their future career prospects. And it’s disgusting’

‘They should know better. And use their talents to find less blatant ways to get something back.”

Although the new concoction will contain around 370 calories – more than the average packet of crisps or chocolate bar – there are readily available drinks and treats on the high street with much higher calorie counts.

Meanwhile, Scottish egg cream eggs have been around for almost a decade, and the good friend Mars bars are a well-known snack in Scotland.

Lord Bethell’s online followers were quick to point out that he was ‘yelling at a biscuit’ and that the concoction ‘looks amazing’.

Lord Bethell’s online followers were quick to point out that he was ‘yelling at a biscuit’ and that the concoction ‘looks amazing’. Another said: ‘It’s not required, you don’t have to eat it’, while another described his tweets as ‘the most overly hilarious reaction to a sweet I’ve ever seen’. One user replied: ‘I’m a doctor and would like to think I’m in pretty good shape. I would absolutely devour that. ‘Having such a treat every now and then is not harmful to people’s health. The picture is much more complex than that’

Another said: ‘It’s not required, you don’t have to eat it’, while another described his tweets as ‘the most overly hilarious reaction to a sweet I’ve ever seen’.

One user replied: ‘I’m a doctor and would like to think I’m in pretty good shape. I would absolutely devour that.

‘Having such a treat every now and then is not harmful to people’s health. The picture is much more complex than that.’

A spokeswoman for Domino’s said: ‘These special edition cookies bring together two much-loved, iconic brands and are designed as a delicious pre-Easter treat that can be shared.

‘At just over 370 calories per biscuit, they are in line with the contents of many other treats available on the high street, such as frappes and croissants.

“We know our customers love to share our existing cookies, and we expect they will do the same with the new Creme Egg cookies.”

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 portions of varied fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count

• Basic meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole wheat

• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-grain cereal cookies, 2 thick slices of whole-grain bread, and a large baked potato with the skin still on

• Provide some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks), opting for lower fat and lower sugar options

• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish per week, one portion of which is fatty)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small quantities

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day

• Adults should have less than 6 grams of salt and 20 grams of saturated fat for women or 30 grams for men per day

Source: NHS Eatwell guide