She accused them of sending "contradictory messages" in the battle against rising obesity levels. The government has already put the food industry on notice that manufacturers will be banned from advertising products that are high in fat, sugar and salt unless they put their own house in order.

Ms Johnson has successfully forced some companies to drastically reduce salt in foods but her remarks over two-for-one promotions, such as those offered by McDonald's and competitors, and toy offers with meals for children represent a significant ratcheting up of rhetoric.

They follow warnings from the European Union's health and consumer affairs minister, Markos Kyprianou, of a clamp-down on food advertising to children.

Ms Johnson, responding to an interview with Mr Kyprianou in the Financial Times, said: "We are pleased to see he has signed up so clearly to our agenda on this issue.

"We have already made clear we are determined to see fast progress in this whole area. There is a strong case for action to limit the advertising and promotion to children of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar.

"We will monitor progress through Ofcom [the official regulator] and if by early 2007 sufficient progress has not been made we will introduce a compulsory framework for regulating the promotion of food to children."

The minister said Britain would use its presidency of the EU later this year to tackle the issue.

"But we are still seeing contradictory messages going out to the public, such as the recent two-for-one promotion of burgers or toy promotions," she said.

"It is important that the momentum is maintained by the food and drinks industry."

The government, in a recent white paper, said it wanted far clearer labelling on food so that consumers could make healthy choices.

Mr Kyprianou, while recognising that signs from the industry on advertising were encouraging and positive, said: "But if this doesn't produce satisfactory results we will proceed to legislation. I would like to see the industry not advertising directly to children any more."

He added that food labelling must be "more easily understood by a consumer who doesn't have a PhD in chemistry".

A spokeswoman for McDonald's UK pointed out that Ms Johnson had not specifically mentioned the company. "Buy one get one free" offers such as that recently made by the company were common in January, as consumers watched their spending after Christmas. The McDonald's 10-day campaign had been adult-oriented and responsibly advertised as intended for two people, she added.

The industry body, the Food and Drink Federation, said it was already committed to more informative labelling and was working with the government to review the existing code on advertising.

It had also promised to participate in a government-led campaign to educate the public on healthy eating and lifestyles.

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