A survey of mothers conducted by the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has revealed that more than 90 per cent of those questioned say it is important to include fruits and vegetables in their family meals, despite more than half acknowledging they are eating too few.

The new research also reveals that beyond the widely reported physical benefits, mums recognise the positive emotional impact of eating more fruit and veg.

What mums eat and how they feel directly correspond, the survey findings show. When they experience positive emotions like happiness or contentment, 70 per cent say they are most likely to eat healthy foods like fruits or vegetables. On the other hand, when they feel negative emotions like sadness or stress, almost half of mums say they are most likely to turn to sweets, and almost a quarter turn to salty snack foods and junk foods such as cheeseburgers.

The same goes for their state of mind after eating - almost half (46 per cent) feel guilty after eating too many sweets or salty snack foods, while over half feel good about themselves after consuming a generous portion of fruit or veg, and almost a third feel happy.

Feeding their youngsters fruit and veg also gives mums a feel-good boost, making 96 per cent of them feel like a “good mother”.

However, practical issues such as a family of fussy eaters, varying family preferences, fresh produce spoiling too quickly and lack of fruit and veg variety in restaurants were cited as the major reasons for mums failing to act on their good intentions.

PBH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have teamed up to help boost fruit and veg consumption in the US, with their strategies and tips called Get Smart! Fruits & Veggies - More Matters. The practical tactics, which have been designed to help mums add more fruit and veg into their family’s diets, have been unveiled in time for March’s National Nutrition Month and the one-year anniversary of national health initiative Fruits and Veggies - More Matters.

NO FIRE WITH PLASTIC CRATES

a scientific study has determined conclusively that reusable plastic containers (RPCs) filled with commodities require no additional fire-safety measures than when the same products are stored in corrugated containers, the Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition (RPCC) has revealed.

Jeanie Johnson, RPCC executive director, said: “This study proves that plastic containers filled with produce and meat commodities do not pose any more fire-safety concerns than products stored in corrugated containers, removing yet another perceived barrier to the use of reusables. The results of this study are important for our member companies and for our customers. This study proves that filled RPCs in cold temperature environments - as well as other storage temperatures - are a low fire-risk hazard.”

Most standard warehouses use wet-pipe sprinkler systems. However, many perishable items are warehoused in cold rooms maintained at 1oC or below. Whereas storage areas generally use wet-pipe sprinklers, coldstorage warehouses use dry-pipe sprinklers to reduce the chance of water freezing in the pipes. The test results verified that commodities that are stored in RPCs rank as Class I and Class II - so customers do not have to make special sprinkler provisions.