Uncle Ben's and Dolmio firm advises customers to only eat some products once a week

The makers of Dolmio and Uncle Ben's cooking sauces have advised their customersagainst eating some of their products more than once a week.

Mars Food, who own 12 brands in total, are planning to divide its range into products that can be eaten every day or only occasionally, to reflect the Government efforts to change the nation's appetite.

The plan is part of the company's efforts to promote eating healthy meals, with other measures including a cut in salt and sugar in some of its recipes, and an increase in the use of whole grains.

And as a result, any products that require high levels of sugar, salt and fat to preserve an "authentic" taste will carry advice on how sparingly they should be eaten, the company said.

Fiona Dawson, the global president of Mars Food, Drinks and Multisales, said: "We want to help our consumers understand the difference between 'everyday' and 'occasional' products within a balanced diet."

Mars announced its global "health and wellbeing ambition" as an initiative that will see some of its products reformulated over the next five years to cut their fat, salt and sugar content.

However it added: "To maintain the authentic nature of the recipe, some Mars Food products are higher in salt, added sugar or fat.

"As these products are not intended to be eaten daily, Mars Food will provide guidance to consumers onpack and on its website regarding how often these meal offerings should be

consumed within a balanced diet."

Mars also said it plans to reduce the salt content in its products by an average of 20% by 2021, while there will also be a cut in added sugar in a "limited number" of sauces and light meals by 2018.