Fast-food companies that have licensing agreements and promotional partnerships with Disney will have to offer "healthier eating" alternatives if they are to continue using its characters, the media group said yesterday.

Disney has drawn up new guidelines to improve children's diets that will see the company use its name and characters only on products that meet limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar. The move, part of a global trend towards healthier eating, comes several months after Disney decided not to renew a 10-year global promotional contract with McDonald's.