UK: NFU calls for practical schemes to offer healthy food

The NFU has launched a new report, setting out 34 recommendations for increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables while helping to reverse the current obesity crisis and combatting other diet related illnesses.

With an annual cost of obesity to the NHS of £5.1 billion per year, the NFU is calling on government, retailers, processors and the food service industry to develop and implement the actions that are needed to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables from its current level of 3 a day to the recommended 5 a day.

The 34 ‘Options for Action’ included within the ‘Fit for the Future’ report include multi-siting fruit and veg in more places in the store; redesigning food service areas to offer more prominence to fruit and veg, developing fun-shaped fruit and veg for kids; and adding at least one extra piece of veg to every ready meal.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “At the moment, although most people understand the reasons why they should eat more fruit and veg, consumption simply isn’t increasing and this has to change. We are calling on all parts of the industry and government to work with us and to implement initiatives that will drive consumer purchases.

“Our growers produce healthy produce that can help people live longer and combat obesity, and now is the time to turn the rhetoric into action. We call upon our partners and government to launch practical schemes that will enable consumers to choose healthier foods without having to dramatically change their lifestyles."

Read more at the NFU website.