Retailers Make Fruit and Veg Commitment in Scotland

The voluntary arrangement, coordinated by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), has the support of the Scottish Government and will complement future work in the Scottish manufacturing and catering sectors.

Jul 21 2011 --- Retailers have signed up to a new commitment to help consumers more easily hit the recommended target of eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, as part of the battle against obesity. The retail initiative is a response to the Scottish Government's Obesity Route Map and aims to help customers eat more healthily.

The voluntary arrangement, coordinated by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), has the support of the Scottish Government and will complement future work in the Scottish manufacturing and catering sectors.

Some of the new activities being signed up to include:
- increasing the proportion of fruit and vegetable ingredients in own-brand products, eg ready-meals, smoothies, soups.
- providing more information to help customers understand the benefits from frozen and fruit and vegetable products as well as from fresh.
- keeping fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables affordable, for example through special offers and value ranges.
- providing fruit and vegetables in places where people will be encouraged to make impulse purchases of them.
- making sure there are ranges of pre-prepared and ready to cook vegetables available to increase convenience for families.

Scottish Retail Consortium Director, Ian Shearer, said: "The obesity challenge facing Scotland is considerable and retailers are committed to helping the Scottish Government put a long-term strategy for tackling the problem into action. The advice to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day is well known, not least because of the efforts major retailers have already put into promoting the message.

"The further commitment being outlined today shows retailers are ready to do even more to help consumers eat healthily. The promise stores are signing up to will have an impact on how they price, promote and prepare fruit and vegetables. These are practical and affordable steps which make it easier for all customers to enjoy healthier diets."

Sport Minister Shona Robison, who has responsibility for healthy weight issues, said: "Scotland is leading the way on this initiative, a key part of our ‘Obesity Route Map' strategy, and I am delighted that our work with retailers, producers and the food industry will help improve the availability of healthier foods. By enabling consumers to make informed choices about what is best to eat and the benefits of fruit and vegetables, this commitment from Scotland's retailers can help improve diet and tackle unhealthy weight. A number of welcome activities are planned, from increasing fruit and vegetables in ingredients and keeping produce affordable, to providing more and better information."