Fast food giant McDonald's has expressed its disappointment with this week's rejection by health minister Melanie Johnson of industry proposals to cut the level of salt in processed foods.

McDonald's said: "We believe we have risen to the Government's challenge and therefore were disappointed to see that Miss Johnson chose to deem efforts made by the food industry to date disappointing."

The burger giant said it had already made significant reductions to the salt content of its food, including a 30% reduction in its Chicken McNuggets.

It is also testing new production methods that would cut by about a quarter the amount of salt in its fries.

And it has reduced the amount of salt in its seasoning and ketchup by 23%.

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