Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

20 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, his Department is taking to achieve the target of four helpings of fruit and vegetables being consumed by each person per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19464/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

In recent years, a nutrition health promotion framework for action has been implemented by my Department to imrove the nutritional status of the Irish population and help reduce the incidence of diet related disease. This has involved developments at community level, in schools, the workplace and health care facilities and has led to the establishment of community dietician posts, schools programmes, and healthy eating programmes in industry.

My Department's healthy eating policy involves the ongoing promotion of the healthy eating guidelines which seek to encourage Irish people to eat a wide variety of foods in line with current recommendations. This is achieved through ongoing healthy eating initiatives like National Healthy Eating Week, which focuses on a different theme each year. The policy also embraces continuing nutrition education for health professionals and expanding community based healthy eating initiatives for lower income groups.

The focus of the 1996 National Healthy Eating Week campaign was on eating more fruit and vegetables. The current target consumption rates are four helpings of fruit and vegetables per day. An evaluation of that campaign showed that it resulted in an increased uptake of fruit and vegetable consumption. Overall 92 per cent of those surveyed said that they eat at least one portion of vegetables per day and the average number of portions of fruit and vegetables, including fruit juice, eaten on a normal day is three.

There are strong demand for the magazine issued by the Health Promotion Unit "Eat more Fruit and Vegetable" and the "Food Pyramid" poster is widely circulated. Both of these highly regarded publications continue to inform public opinion regarding optimum fruit and vegetable intake.

My Department is currently undertaking a national health and lifestyle survey. This comprehensive survey will be broadly based, cross sectoral in relation to social class and will give data upon which outcomes and focuses of future campaigns can be measured and targeted. This survey will also inform policy in the coming years.