Under the proposals, there is a two-stage approach for defining a product that is considered “less healthy” for the purposes of the restrictions.

This was originally referred to as products “high in fat, salt or sugar”.

In response to the 2022 consultation, the government said it recognised the need for greater clarity on the scope of the restrictions.

It said further guidance will be provided to explain product categories, with clearer examples of which food and drink items fall within each category.

A number of items will be exempt from the new restrictions as they are already subject to separate regulations.

This includes baby formula, processed cereal-based foods for infants, diet replacement products, medicinal drinks and approved meal replacement products.

Gwynne said the government would also hold a four-week targeted consultation to then be able to clarify how restrictions would apply to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), which delivers TV live over the internet.

It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised significant reforms for the NHS following the publication of a report by surgeon and former Labour minister Lord Darzi.

Among Sir Keir’s plans is a transition to a digital NHS, moving more care from hospitals to communities and a focus on sickness prevention to alleviate pressure.

“One of these pressures is the childhood obesity crisis, setting up children for an unhealthy life and generating yet greater pressures on the NHS,” Gwynne said.

“More than one in five children in England are overweight or living with obesity by the time they start primary school, and this rises to more than one third by the time they leave.”