International awareness body World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has urged consumers to continue eating a significant amount of fruit and vegetables amid concerns of cost-cutting during the global economic crisis.

The organisation has expressed concerns that higher food prices and tighter budgets may see customers eliminate fresh produce from their shopping lists, according to a report by the BBC.

'The fact is that fruit and vegetables can sometimes be expensive,' WCRF's Nathalie Winn told the BBC. 'But if you shop carefully there is no reason why you cannot have plenty of fruit and vegetables even on a very limited budget.'

Ms Winn added that purchasing in-season produce could help customers keep up with the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day at lower prices, while frozen vegetables and canned fruit could also count towards the target.

'Some people don't realise that a glass of fruit juice is a portion, and some people think it just has to be fresh fruit and vegetables.'

WCRF studies have suggested that fruit and vegetable consumption can help lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

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