Freshfel calls to promote further fruits and vegetables

Belgium

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Low consumption of fruits and vegetables is a factor for diseases, Freshfel therefore calls on EU policies to focus their efforts on the promotion of fruit and vegetables.

The essential role of fruits and vegetables in the prevention of disease.

Freshfel Europe welcomes the Declaration made by the WHO (World Health Organization) on nutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) within the Health Plan 2020. This statement, known as the "Vienna Declaration", issued on July 5 in the Austrian capital, recognizes the low consumption of fruits and vegetables as the main factor for noncommunicable diseases. Emphasizing the urgent need to focus on the promotion to increase the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The positive contribution of fruits and vegetables is underestimated in all current policies. Poor diet and physical inactivity in European countries are in high levels, which leads to premature mortality and exorbitant costs for these countries.

Reductions in undesirable nutrients (salt, fat, sugar) are implemented everywhere, but reveal themselves insufficient. Efforts should focus on the promotion of minimally processed or whole foods (whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables) for real prevention. Freshfel urges policymakers to focus on this issue in future policy developments.

source : freshfel org