Vol. 459 No. 3
27 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Health if he has consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry or An Bord Glas following the report from the Nutrition Advisory Group on the low consumption of fruit and vegetables in Ireland in comparison with other EU countries. [17939/95]
My Department is undertaking a widespread consultation about the recently published report from the Nutrition Advisory Group. This involves the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and An Bord Glas, among many others and will address issues such as the consumption levels of fruit and vegetables raised by the Deputy, I would add, however, that my Department is already engaged in promoting increased consumption of fruit and vegetables through its health promotion activities.
The health eating guidelines recommend the consumption of at least four portions of fruit and vegetables every day. This has been successfully demonstrated by the use of the food pyramid in recent years which, as the Deputy will be aware, places a strong emphasis on the importance of fruit and vegetables in a balanced diet. My Department's Health Promotion Unit is in regular contact with all the relevant food agencies including An Bord Glas, in the context of ongoing healthy eating initiatives.
Having regard to all the booklets and pamphlets which the Department and health boards produced on better healthy eating habits over the years outlining the benefit this would have on people's health, especially children in their formative years, and on the economy which produces these products, is it not regrettable that according to the EU Ireland eats the least amount of fruit and vegetables?
Certainly, where on average only 30 per cent of the population eat the recommended four or more servings of fruit and vegetables and with nearly 40 per cent eating less than two servings per day, that is a situation about which we cannot be happy or complacent from a health point of view. The report which gave rise to the Deputy's question has been circulated to the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Education, the Marine, Enterprise and Employment, Tourism and Trade, the trade board, Forfás, An Bord Bia and An Bord Glas on the basis that they come back to us within three months, i.e., by 29 February 1966.
I take the Deputy's point on board. In the context of healthy eating week, a particular theme is selected each year. This year's theme was to eat more potatoes, bread and cereals.
In the context of next year's theme, bearing in mind what the Deputy has said, we will look at the possibility of having fruit and vegetables as the theme for that week.
Preferably with a good claret.
That concludes questions for today.
