Neil Perry has been slammed by critics after apparently criticising US actress Demi Moore in a discussion about Ozempic.
The famous foodie, 63, currently owns two restaurants - Margaret and Gran Torino - in Sydney's eastern suburbs, where the Ozempic trend has really taken hold.
Speaking to The Australian, Neil was asked if this trend had affected the types of food or the portion sizes he offers to customers.
Admitting that it was still business as usual, Neil then referenced Demi Moore's recent red carpet appearances, which further sparked rumours that the actress was using some form of GLP-1 medication.
'When you see someone like Demi Moore the other day - you know, God, one of the world's most beautiful women. All my life, I've just thought she was so gorgeous because I'm a bit older than her; but you know, she's sort of in my era.'
Neil added that he believed that weight loss drugs like Ozempic were a concern as they 'waste muscle'.
Neil Perry has been slammed by critics after apparently criticising US actress Demi Moore in a discussion about Ozempic. The famous foodie, 63, currently owns two restaurants - Margaret and Gran Torino - in Sydney's eastern suburbs, where the Ozempic trend has really taken hold.
Speaking to The Australian, Neil was asked if this trend had affected the types of food or the portion sizes he offers to customers. Admitting it was business as usual, Neil then referenced Demi Moore's recent red carpet appearances which further sparked rumours that the actress was using some form of GLP-1 medication.
'Ozempic doesn't just waste fat, it wastes muscle,' he said.
'And that's one of the really bad things. And you see somebody almost Biafran kind of thin, but you also know how important that muscle mass is for you as you get older.'
The celebrity chef qualified his position by saying that when referring to muscle mass, he meant having 'toned muscle on your bones and eating well'.
Neil added that he believed that the long-term effects of the drug are still unclear, likening the industry to that of Big Tobacco.
'I think it's like the tobacco industry,' he said.
'In 25 years' time, everybody will be suing the s* out of them.'
A segment of the interview was uploaded to the publication's Instagram page on Thursday, and the chef attracted some criticism for his comments.
'Ozempic is a medication prescribed by a Dr for a chronic disease. It is not a food. I don't understand why a chef is being asked about his opinion on a drug?' one wrote.
'When you see someone like Demi Moore the other day - you know, God, one of the world's most beautiful women. All my life, I've just thought she was so gorgeous because I'm a bit older than her; but you know, she's sort of in my era.'
'Ozempic doesn't just waste fat; it wastes muscle,' he said. 'And that's one of the really bad things. And you see somebody almost Biafran kind of thin, but you also know how important that muscle mass is for you as you get older.'
Another offered: 'When did Neil become a medical specialist?'
A third also slammed Neil's 'unqualified opinion' with: 'It's like asking your GP how to cook a steak.'
'Sharing a non-medical professional or non-scientist's explanations of how a medication works is irrelevant and irresponsible.'
The criticism didn't end there either, with one commenter accusing Neil of 'body shaming' the Striptease actress.
'Yeah mate, you're not a doctor so let's not listen to you body shaming a gorgeous woman. Have you looked in the mirror lately?'
It wasn't all negative, however, with many agreeing with Neil's take on Ozempic.
'Appreciate the chef's sentiments and 100 percent agree,' one wrote, while a second chimed in with a similar: 'For everyone saying he can't discuss it. Yes he can. He was asked and tbh his answer was sensible.'
A third summed up the sentiment of many with: 'Spot on! Life is about enjoying food with friends and family.'
A segment of the interview was uploaded to the publication's Instagram page on Thursday, and the chef attracted some criticism for his comments. Neil is pictured with wife, Samantha
Daily Mail has reached out to Neil Perry for comment.
Meanwhile, Demi Moore has recently sparked concern after flaunting her very slim frame at a raft of recent red carpet events.
After an appearance at the 2026 Actor Awards in LA earlier this month, X users raised their concerns about her trim figure and speculation she may have been on Ozempic to lose weight.
'Is she on Ozempic?' one user asked Grok.
'Too skinny,' another wrote.
'She... didn't look like this last year, did she?' commented someone else.
'Good grief, is all of Hollywood on Ozempic?' one more asked.
The GI Jane star sparked similar concern after red carpet appearances at the Oscars and the Actor Awards (formerly SAG Awards) this month.