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21/10/2009
Healthy Food 'Task Force' Launched
A new Task Force will help England to grow and eat more fruit and vegetables and improve the nation's health, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced today.
Comprising growers, retailers, consumers and agricultural researchers, the Fruit and Vegetables Task Force will develop an action plan to increase the production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Mr Benn said that the new group needed to look at ways to get people growing their own fruit and vegetables, and to get people choosing local fruit and veg, particularly when it's in season.
In 2008, domestic production of fruit and vegetables was 37% of demand.
The UK produces 11% of the fresh fruit we consume, which has increased in the last five years, and 58% of fresh vegetables, down from 63% five years ago.
Current barriers to production include developing clear career paths to attract young people to the industry, the availability of seasonal workers, volatile energy costs and the effects of climate change including the availability and cost of water.
Mr Benn said: "There is a gap at the moment, between what we consume and what we grow here, but there’s no reason why we can't grow more here.
"And the main thing we can do to encourage this is to choose, and eat, British produce."
Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham said: "Getting Britain growing more fruit and veg isn't just good news for our farmers - eating it is the tastiest way for the rest of us to maintain a healthy lifestyle too.
"We know the demand is there - the latest Health Survey for England results showed an increase in the number of people eating fruit and veg and our '5 A Day' campaign is supporting families to get even more fruit and veg in their diets."
(PR/BMcC)
Comprising growers, retailers, consumers and agricultural researchers, the Fruit and Vegetables Task Force will develop an action plan to increase the production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Mr Benn said that the new group needed to look at ways to get people growing their own fruit and vegetables, and to get people choosing local fruit and veg, particularly when it's in season.
In 2008, domestic production of fruit and vegetables was 37% of demand.
The UK produces 11% of the fresh fruit we consume, which has increased in the last five years, and 58% of fresh vegetables, down from 63% five years ago.
Current barriers to production include developing clear career paths to attract young people to the industry, the availability of seasonal workers, volatile energy costs and the effects of climate change including the availability and cost of water.
Mr Benn said: "There is a gap at the moment, between what we consume and what we grow here, but there’s no reason why we can't grow more here.
"And the main thing we can do to encourage this is to choose, and eat, British produce."
Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham said: "Getting Britain growing more fruit and veg isn't just good news for our farmers - eating it is the tastiest way for the rest of us to maintain a healthy lifestyle too.
"We know the demand is there - the latest Health Survey for England results showed an increase in the number of people eating fruit and veg and our '5 A Day' campaign is supporting families to get even more fruit and veg in their diets."
(PR/BMcC)
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Eating more fruit and vegetables could help reduce the risk of suffering a stroke, new research has suggested. In a study published in 'The Lancet', researchers at the University of London analysed results from eight studies from Europe, Japan and the US, involving over 257,000 participants.
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01 April 2014
Five-A-Day Fruit And Veg Is Not Enough - UCL Report
Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day reduces your risk of death at any point in time by 42% compared to eating less than one portion, according to a report by the University College London UCL.
Five-A-Day Fruit And Veg Is Not Enough - UCL Report
Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day reduces your risk of death at any point in time by 42% compared to eating less than one portion, according to a report by the University College London UCL.
06 April 2011
Disadvantaged Families Get Healthy Boost
Low-income families now have the choice to buy frozen fruit and vegetables as part of the Healthy Start scheme, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today. The scheme supports over half a million pregnant women and low-income families by giving them vouchers that until now could only be spent on fresh fruit, vegetables and milk.
Disadvantaged Families Get Healthy Boost
Low-income families now have the choice to buy frozen fruit and vegetables as part of the Healthy Start scheme, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today. The scheme supports over half a million pregnant women and low-income families by giving them vouchers that until now could only be spent on fresh fruit, vegetables and milk.
20 August 2010
Green 'Leafy Vegetables' Reduce Diabetes Risk
Eating more green leafy vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research has claimed. The authors, led by Patrice Carter at the University of Leicester, said there is a need for further investigation into the potential benefits of green leafy vegetables.
Green 'Leafy Vegetables' Reduce Diabetes Risk
Eating more green leafy vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research has claimed. The authors, led by Patrice Carter at the University of Leicester, said there is a need for further investigation into the potential benefits of green leafy vegetables.
27 September 2006
Pesticides 'in a third of UK food'
Nearly a third of food and drink products in the UK contain traces of pesticides, according to a new report. The 2005 annual report by the Pesticide Residues Committee found that 30.2% of the 3,787 products surveyed during last year had pesticide traces within the maximum legal limits. However, the residues exceeded legal limits in 1.
Pesticides 'in a third of UK food'
Nearly a third of food and drink products in the UK contain traces of pesticides, according to a new report. The 2005 annual report by the Pesticide Residues Committee found that 30.2% of the 3,787 products surveyed during last year had pesticide traces within the maximum legal limits. However, the residues exceeded legal limits in 1.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
