It's only appended to an article in News in Brief but it strikes me that we should all have a close look at the sponsors of the Vegetarian Society Awards.

Vertese, a range of gelatine-free vitamin and mineral supplements, is the backer of the high profile hand-outs, which many people will see as closely linked to the fruit and vegetable industry.

Vegetarians do not just eat fresh fruit and vegetables, but the true veggie's typical meal is dominated by this industry's products.

They may take supplements, they may not. But one thing's for sure ñ if vegetarians see their society being supportive of a company peddling supplements as a substitute for fresh fruit or veg, they are more likely to take the plunge, and the pills.

Fad diets are not helping ñ anyone in the early phase of the Atkins diet who really cares about their well-being would be well-advised to take supplements, as the diet eliminates fresh produce completely.

It is unlikely that Vertese has broken the bank to sponsor these awards, which receive widespread coverage in national and consumer press.

But it would have been far more appropriate for a representational body, or an individual company, from the fresh arena to have taken the mantle and shown consumers who prefer to eat our products anyway, that they are doing the right thing.