The health problems caused by excessive sugar, salt and saturated fats in processed foods are well-known. They can lead to obesity and diabetes, high cholesterol levels, raised blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

It could be argued that there has been so much publicity about these issues that everyone by now must be fully aware of them and should take care to avoid foodstuffs which contain high levels of the prohibited ingredients, for their own sake and particularly for the sake of their children.

However, that cannot be taken for granted. Not all people are avid label readers or know how to interpret the wealth of useful information now printed on most packaging. Consequently levels of sugar, salt and fats are a public-health issue as well as a matter for individuals and as such should be the responsibility of the food manufacturers.

It is worrying that the latest research into 275 different types of cereal published by Which? magazine found high levels of sugar in 75 per cent of the samples tested, excessive salt in 19 per cent and saturated fat content above an acceptable level in seven per cent.

It is particularly disappointing that among the offenders were most cereals marketed at children - and that one of Bradford-based Morrisons' own-brand products contained the highest amount of sugar while another had the highest level of salt.

Manufacturers should take on board the appeal from Which? for them to make further cuts in salt, fat and sugar levels, and to introduce the Food Standards Agency's simplified traffic-light labelling system to make it easier for shoppers to help themselves and their families towards healthier eating.