Ramsay calls for 'stringent licensing laws' on out-of-season food

Gordon Ramsay has called for restaurants to be fined if they use fruit and vegetables out of season.

The Michelin-starred chef told BBC News that making out-of-season food illegal would raise "levels of inspiration" among British chefs and help cut carbon emissions.

"If we don't restrict our movements within this industry of seasonal produce only, then the whole thing will spiral out of control," he said.

Remarking on Ramsay's comments, Daniel Thomas from Caterer and Hotelkeeper said that the TV chef is "certainly one of the most – if not the most – high profile figures in the UK restaurant industry", but added that he did not think the chef's influence stretched "as far as Whitehall".

"Opinion is already split on the issue," he told More Than Business News. "Most people agree with Ramsay in principal, but some feel that using legislation is a step too far."

"There is a feeling that supermarkets should be the target of people’s ire as they are 'fuelling consumer demand for global produce'."