London Olympics faces questions over McDonald's sponsorship

Leaders of the London Olympics project face renewed questions today about the use of McDonald's as a major sponsor.

The Green Party is asking how the burger chain's presence squares with pledges to promote locally-grown food at the 2012 Games. London 2012 chairman Lord Coe and chief executive Paul Deighton will be quizzed when they update the London Assembly.

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The Greens want McDonald's to provide food that meets the promise of "supporting consumption of local, seasonal and organic produce, with reduced amount of animal protein and packaging".

Local, sustainable food was a principle in the document Towards A One Planet Olympics. It envisages the first Games that does not damage the planet. McDonald's is a long-term sponsor of the Olympics, signed up by the International Olympic Committee, not Lord Coe's team.

Jenny Jones, Green group leader, said: "While I appreciate London organisers are bound by the IOC deal, I really feel this is a big let-down. The Games are a showcase. People attending should be inspired to lead healthier lives, not sit there shovelling junk food."

Lord Coe needs to raise about £2 billion in private sponsorship, of which some £530 million will come from the IOC's 12 Olympic Partners. As well as McDonald's, these include Coca-Cola, Visa, GE, Panasonic and Samsung. A London 2012 spokesman said: "McDonald's aren't a domestic sponsor. The IOC has a select group of partners. It's our duty as part of revenue raising to recruit national partners."