Canned fruit and vegetables are more cost-efficient than their fresh alternatives, according to a new study.
The research compared the nutrient contents and prices of eight common vegetables and 10 fruits across fresh, frozen and canned packaging formats.
It found that nutrient scores for vegetables were similar across the three packaging options.
But canned vegetables had a lower cost per edible cup compared with frozen and fresh.
Nutrient scores were variable for the fruit across canned, frozen or fresh. Canned fruits were either lower or comparably priced per edible cup.
“The evidence from this study suggests that fruits and vegetables packaged as frozen or canned are cost-effective and nutritious options for meeting daily vegetable and fruit recommendations in the context of a healthy diet,” the authors wrote in a statement.
Author Steven Miller said: “Canned fruits and vegetables provide high quality nutrition to Americans regardless of income level and geography.”
The study was done by Michigan State University and commissioned by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI).
Nutrients per calorie were measured using intake recommendations, and average costs were obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.
CMI is the trade association of the metal can manufacturing industry and its suppliers in the United States, responsible for the annual production of around 124 billion food, beverage and other metal cans.
