French Fried: Chips Off Menu At Olympics

Caterers serving food within the Olympic park have been forbidden from serving chips due to "sponsorship obligations" with McDonalds.

A note distributed to catering teams from the London Olympics Organising Committee (Locog) states the only "loophole" is if chips are served simultaneously with fish.

It reads: "Due to sponsorship obligations with McDonalds, Locog have instructed the catering team they are no longer allowed to serve chips on their own anywhere within the Olympic park.

"The only loophole to this is if it is served with fish.

"Please understand this is not the decision of the staff serving up your meals, who given the choice would gladly give it to you however they are not allowed to.

"This is being escalated through to the directors of L2012C and Locog and the IOC. Please do not give the staff grief; this will only lead to us removing fish and chips completely.

"Everyone has the right to work in a non-abusive environment."

There has been recent concern from retailers who have found themselves in breach of bylaws which protect sponsors at the games who have paid large sums for exclusive deals.

Branding experts have recently expressed concern that the sponsorship rules are among the strictest restrictions ever put in place to protect sponsors at an Olympic games.

Locog have stated the protections drawn up are crucial to secure the deals that have paid for the games and are expected to issue a statement on the sale of chips later today.

McDonalds is expected to serve approximately 10% of the meals eaten at the games.