There is growing awareness of 5 A DAY among UK consumers as well as in increase in the number of consumers who claim to eat more fresh produce than a year ago according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA)’s sixth annual consumer attitudes to food survey.
The 2005 survey found a significant yearly increase in the number of consumers who are aware that they should be eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day with an additional 25 per cent of consumers now aware compared to 2000.
There is also an increase in the number of consumers who claim to be eating more vegetables, salads and fruit compared to a year ago.
The survey, conducted by TNS for the FSA, interviewed a 3,000-strong sample representative of the UK population and found that 67 per cent were aware they should be eating 5-A-DAY compared to 58 per cent in 2004.
Some 41 per cent of consumers claimed to be eating more vegetables and salads while 40 per cent claimed to be eating more fruit than a year previously. These figures were up 35 per cent and 32 per cent respectively in 2004.
“It is encouraging that the agency’s survey shows a growing awareness among consumers towards healthier eating,” said the FSA’s director of consumer choice and dietary health Gill Fine. “The rise in the number of people who say they are eating more fruit and veg shows a real shift in attitudes since the agency first began these surveys in 2000.”
