A responsibility deal to encourage consumers to become interested in healthy eating has gathered more support.

More than 170 firms are now signed up to the initiative, which will give people more information on the nutritional value of the foods they purchase.

Among the proposals is for calorie information to be displayed on menus and that clearer labelling should be made available on drinks, although specific guidelines have not been announced.

"We know that regulation is costly, can take years and is often only determined at an EU-wide level anyway.

"That's why we have to introduce new ways of achieving better results," explained health secretary Andrew Lansley.

He said that funding will be allocated to the project, with the intention of it helping to improve the country's health.

Nutrition consultant Dr Carina Norris recently suggested that following a Mediterranean diet is one of the most effective ways of protecting against major health problems.