The government today called on employers and schools to help fight the growing problem of obesity in the UK.
Speaking at a summit in London on diet and exercise, public health minister Melanie Johnson said she was "disappointed" by the lack of progress made by food industry in reducing salt content.
Last year Ms Johnson demanded evidence of action from the industry after raising concerns about the impact of over-consumption of salt was having on people's diets.
The Department of Health has warned that unless companies cut salt levels, it may consider naming and shaming the worst offenders or force products to carry a "high in salt" label.
The Food Standards Agency recommends adults and children over the age of 11 consume no more than six grams of salt a day but the current average is nearer 10 grams.
Critics have accused the government of producing too many reports on public health but not taking any action to combat problems like obesity.
Today Ms Johnson said the possibility of a ban on the advertising of "junk" food during children's television hours was still being considered. And changes to food labelling, such as putting clearer health messages on products, were also being actively considered at a European level, Miss Johnson said.
Bosses were urged to provide incentives to staff to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and schools to promote exercise in the playground at break times. The proposals appear in two government public consultation documents on how to encourage people to adopt a more healthy lifestyle.
The documents will help inform the public health white paper which is due to be published this summer.
But Ms Johnson said there was a limit to what the government alone can do to encourage people to keep fit and eat healthily.
She said: "This issue is not just for government - lasting improvements are only achievable if others, including the food industry, consumer groups, health experts and the media work together over the coming years to tackle these issues.
"Individuals also have to take responsibility for their diets or those of the people in the their charge."
Sports minister Richard Caborn said obesity levels in England had tripled in the last 20 years mainly due to lack of exercise by children and adults. He said: "Creating a more active nation is a priority for the whole of the government."
The summit comes a week after a 112-page report from the chief medical officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, recommended that adults should do a minimum 30 minutes' exercise five days a week to keep fit while children and young people should aim at completing an hour's moderate exercise every day.
Inactivity and obesity are thought to cost Britain more than £10bn a year in the direct costs of treatment and indirect costs through sickness absence.
Public consultation on the latest two government reports in fighting obesity, Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet and Choosing Health? Choosing Activity runs until June 16.
