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The firm that makes Dolmio sauces and Uncle Ben's rice has said some of its products should only be had once a week due to high salt, sugar or fat content.
Mars Food said it would distinguish between "everyday" and "occasional" items on packs and on its website.
The company said some foods were higher in salt, sugar or fat to maintain the authentic nature of recipes.
The advice is part of its Health and Wellbeing Ambition to "create and promote healthier food choices".
Mars told the BBC that just 5% of its products would be labelled "occasional".
These include Dolmio lasagne sauces, pesto, and carbonara and macaroni oven kits.
Products such as Uncle Ben's oriental sauces will have recipes reduced in salt, sugar and fat, and will be labelled "everyday".
Mars said its website would be updated over the next few months with a list of "occasional" products to be eaten not more than once a week, and "everyday" ones which would be reduced in salt, sugar or fat over the next five years.
The company said its "nutrition criteria" has been developed based on recommendations from leading public health authorities such as the World Health Organization.
It supported the salt-reduction strategies of bodies such as the UK Food Standards Agency, Department of Health and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it added.
Fiona Dawson, a global president of Mars, said: "Our nutrition criteria sets a very high standard for our products, and we also want to help our consumers understand the difference between 'everyday' and 'occasional' products within a balanced diet.
"The food industry has already made great strides in reducing sodium, but we have more work to do to help consumers reduce sodium intake.
"We support release of the US FDA's draft sodium reduction guidance, because we believe it's important to begin a stakeholder dialogue about the role industry can play in this critical part of consumers' diets."
Mars said multiple studies had shown that families that cook and eat together are healthier and happier, which it wanted to encourage.
"Through leading brands such as Uncle Ben's, Masterfoods and Dolmio, Mars Food hopes to build awareness about the value of shared meals and help consumers practise healthy cooking at home," said Ms Dawson.
