Big bad Mac: McDonald's is the least ethical of the multinational companies, according to a British poll.

Although it has for many years been one of the world's most successful brands, 1,300 people polled by the Fraser Consultancy gave it the thumbs-down because of its negative ethical profile. Nike was ranked at No 2 while Shell was voted No 3 least ethical firm in the survey. Adidas, Nestlé, BP and American Express also featured in the top 10 "Perceived Least Ethical Companies".

Hire and higher

AA has warned people hiring cars abroad about hidden charges, mechanical defects and insurance rip-offs. It said even an experienced consumer tester carrying out research was hit with a €300 charge on his credit card statement for damage he could not explain. The EuroTest consortium carried out research last summer for pan-European motoring and said damaged vehicles were a major concern. Among faults uncovered by the testers were damaged tyres, bent wheels and worn-out brakes.

Longer lenses

Some daily contact lenses are "virtually identical" to the more expensive weekly or monthly products, research claims. The UK consumer magazine Which? found some daily lenses could last as long as monthly pairs because they are made of similar material. A contact lens maker and an optician carrying out the research found daily lenses from four manufacturers were virtually the same as their longer-life products. Daily disposable lenses cost around €1 per pair, compared with €6 for longer-life lenses. However, Which? quoted an eye expert as warning, "Using daily lenses longer than they have been licensed for is not a good idea at all. If contact lenses are not worn according to professional advice, they are capable of harming, even blinding, the eye."