Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to promote the consumption of UK (a) fruit and (b) vegetables.

The Government recommends eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day as part of a healthy balanced diet.

The national food model the Eatwell Guide provides a visual representation of the types and proportions of the foods needed for a healthy, balanced diet, and depicts a diet rich in fruit and vegetables; the guide can be accessed here:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/

In 2016, the Government’s 5 A Day campaign was refreshed with publication of a new set of 5 A Day logos by Public Health England. The 5 A Day message is embedded in the Eatwell Guide and communicated alongside other healthy eating advice including the Start4Life, Change4Life and One You campaigns, the NHS Choices website as well as Public Health England’s catering guidance.

The School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme provides 2.3 million children in Key Stage 1 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables each day at school; over 16,000 institutions are signed up to this scheme. Approximately 445 million pieces of fruit and vegetables are distributed to children annually. Schools are encouraged to use it as an opportunity to educate children about fruit and vegetables and to assist a healthy, balanced diet.