The Prince of Wales entered the debate on childhood obesity by appearing to call for a ban on McDonald's.
During a tour of the United Arab Emirates, the Prince told a nutritionist that the "key" to remedying childhood obesity was getting McDonalds "banned".
His comments came during atour of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi, where he was told about initiatives to improve the nation's diet and fitness levels.
The Prince, who visited the centre with the Duchess of Cornwall, advocates organic food and runs a farm on his Highgrove Estate that does not use artificial pesticides or fertilisers.
The Prince was chatting to Nadine Tayara, from the centre, when he asked her: "Have you got anywhere with McDonald's? Have you tried getting it banned? That's the key."
A McDonald's spokeswoman said the Prince's remark was "disappointing". Other members of his family had visited the chain and "have probably got a more up-to-date picture of us," she said.
"This appears to be an off-the-cuff remark, in our opinion. It does not reflect our menu or where we are as a business."
