'Irresponsible' claims hijack 5 a day brand
The TV programme said the scheme, launched in 2004, had been "hijacked". Dispatches argued that food…The TV programme said the scheme, launched in 2004, had been "hijacked". Dispatches argued that food firms were using their own '5-a-day' labels on processed foods that contained fruit and vegetables but were high in sugar, fat or salt.
However, a DoH spokeswoman said there"were no plans to extend the criteria for the branding" of the voluntary industry scheme.
She said: "The issue with '5 a day' is that you cannot trademark the words. The official logo can only be displayed on foods that don't contain added salt, sugar or fat. But the industry has created its own logos and branding for composite foods. Anyone with concerns should speak to Trading Standards."
Barbara Gallani, director of food safety and science at the Food and Drink Federation said the grocery think tank IGD had developed best practice rules, including nutritional standards, to guide retailers and manufacturers that want to label their products responsibly.
Advice from the DoH
Advice from the DoH suggests that canned, frozen, 100% juice and dried fruit and vegetables all count towards 5 a day, she argued.
She said: "Clearly labelling composite foods can help people eat more fruit and vegetables by making it easier for them to know which products will help them."
The Fresh Produce Consortium had called on government to sort out"inaccuracies of 5 a day claims which abuse consumer trust", after Dispatches, which aired on July 16.
Nigel Jenney, chief executive said: "5 a day must return to its core principles, based around the convenience of eating fresh fruit and vegetables, to avoid misleading the public about the nutritional content of their food basket."
What is '5 a day'?
* About 400g of fruit and/or veg
* One portion is 80g
* Potatoes do not count
* But fresh, frozen, tinned and dried fruit and vegetables do
* Smoothies can count for up to two of your five a day
