New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) The Government is considering new measures in the form of statutory warnings or guidelines to regulate consumption of junk food and tackle the problem of malnutrition in the country, Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said.

Ms Chowdhury said these new measures would be brought about by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in consultation with the Ministry for Panchayati Raj and other concerned ministries to tackle the high level of malnutrition in the country.

About the opposition from the corporate houses and MNCs against any such statutory warnings, Ms Chowdhury said that the government would consult them before formulating such guidelines.

''These corporate houses and MNCs are not our enemies. They will also understand the concerns about malnutrition and help in formulating these measures,'' the minister said.

Ms Chowdhury said the government was forced to consider these measures to tackle the high level of malnutrition prevalent in the country as has been revealed by the National Family Health Surveys.

She also said steps are being taken to strengthen the ICDS scheme in the country to tackle the issue in comprehensive manner.

The problem of obesity and malnutrion associated with increased intake of junk food and cola drinks by youngsters has been repeatedly highlighted by doctors and experts forcing the government to take cognizance of the problem.

UNI