A leading UK-based fresh produce lobbying group has attacked the British government’s recently launched ‘Eat Seasonably’ promotional campaign, claiming that it places “ridiculous restrictions” on consumers’ diets.
The ‘Eat Seasonably’ campaign was officially launched in the UK last week, with the stated aim of encouraging British consumers to shun imported fruit and vegetables at times when UK-grown products are in season.
However, although the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) said the initiative was “well intentioned”, it claimed it could restrict people’s diet to products only grown in the limited UK season when good quality seasonal fresh produce was available throughout the year
“We welcome this campaign’s focus on eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, but we should not look to restrict consumers’ choice and deprive the nation of some of its favourite fruit and vegetables at certain times of the year,” said FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney in a statement.
The lobbying group also argued that the initiative could impose “ridiculous restrictions on key indigenous staples of the UK diet” by claiming that potatoes were only at their seasonal best from October to December.
The FPC claimed such claims would be bad news for new potatoes and for ‘national chip week’, which takes place in the UK every February.
The group also attacked claims that British-grown apples should only be eaten at certain times of the year, arguing that many apples varieties benefit from storage after harvest to mature and bring out their best flavour.
“Limiting the market for fresh produce to this ‘Eat Seasonably’ calendar would simply make production unviable from a grower’s perspective and undermine consumers’ interest in fresh produce, leading them towards greater consumption of highly processed foods,” the FPC added.
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