More fruit and vegetables for ready meals
More fruit and vegetables are to be added to ready meals in a new drive to help consumers eat healthily as a study found 70% are failing to meet the recommended “five-a-day” target.
Participating supermarkets will expand their fruit and vegetable sections and make the produce more appealing to children as part of the latest Responsibility Deal pledge to help people choose healthier food, the Department of Health has announced.
It comes as research by Sainsbury’s revealed 23% of Britons think chips count as vegetables and 70% do not eat the recommended five-a-day.
One third (33%) of those surveyed incorrectly thought that potatoes count as a portion of vegetables, with 47% of these people believing that roast potatoes can be included in their five-a-day, while a quarter (26%) thought they could eat five of the same pieces of fruit or vegetable to meet the daily requirement.
Just over a third (34%) said they did not have time to eat the recommended amount and 18% said fruit and vegetables were too expensive.
Under the pledge, supermarket chain Aldi will increase store space dedicated to fresh produce and promote discounted fruit and vegetable lines, Iceland will increase promotions and deals, Lidl will rebrand its entire range to make it more appealing to children and Subway will launch a new campaign fronted by athletes Louis Smith and Anthony Ogogo for low fat and salad options.
Public health minister Anna Soubry said the latest drive aimed to encourage the food industry to help people eat more fruit and vegetables in fresh, frozen, canned, dried and juiced forms, as well as in pre-prepared foods such as ready meals.
Ms Soubry said: “Getting your five-a-day can help lower the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and some cancers, but we know that can be a challenge. That is why we want to work with the food industry to help everyone make healthier choices.
“Through the Responsibility Deal we have already achieved real progress in helping people cut the calories and salt in their diet. All of the major supermarkets have now committed to removing artificial trans fats, and over 70% of fast food and takeaway meals sold on the high street have calories clearly labelled.
“This pledge is part of a wider Government plan to encourage everyone to eat their five-a-day, which includes our £10 million investment in the Change4Life campaign, and the 2.1 million children who receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable in school every day under our scheme.”
Do you eat your recommended ‘five-a day’?
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