Chocs away… now the Eurocrats want to ban hotel sweet treats

Free chocolates on hotel beds could become a thing of the past if a European Union (EU) directive becomes law.

The EU said it had decided to draft the directive, which aims to ban confectionery being given away free of charge, because of the growing problem of obesity in Europe. Sources close to the directive said there was a lot of support for it to become law and they expected it to be passed within the next few weeks.

Alf Priolo, who worked on drafting the directive, said: "Chocolates on hotel beds may well be a traditional treat and expected by guests, but with Europe on the verge of an obesity epidemic we have to take action to protect our citizens from an early grave.

"One small chocolate contains more than 2g of fat and close to 40 calories. That, on top of all the other treats holidaymakers give themselves when away, could be enough to push them over the edge."

Jake Otis, owner of the Glen Guyill Pour hotel at Bonchester Bridge in the Scottish Borders, said the idea was "preposterous".

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 1 - 7 April 2004

• This was, of course, an April Fool