500 up for 5 A DAY

More than 700 brands are promoting the 5 A DAY message, as the Department of Health issues the 500th licence for its 5 A DAY logo.

Just two years after its launch, the logo is being used by a wide variety of companies and brands, with the most recent including Tropicana, Aldi and Iceland on packaging and in advertising campaigns.

Hundreds of other companies are also licensed to use the logo, helping to publicise the 5 A DAY message by featuring it on vans, marketing materials, packaging and working locally to support 5 A DAY community initiatives.

Caroline Flint, public health minister said: "Industry support of the 5 A DAY programme is essential to spread the word on this important message, and to help shoppers and their families to reach their 5 A DAY target more easily. It’s great to see so many organisations using the logo and we hope others will continue to join them in communicating the 5 A DAY message."

The logo can be used on fresh, chilled, frozen, canned and dried fruit and vegetables which do not have any added sugar, salt or fat. To carry the logo, foods must contain at least one portion (80g) of fruit or vegetables.

According to the DoH, 5 A DAY partners have commented that use of the 5 A DAY logo has formed a key element of their marketing activity, encouraging consumers to eat more healthily by increasing their consumption of fruit and vegetables.

In some cases, it has also improved product demand, showing a true indication of both the appeal and importance of the 5 A DAY logo.

The DoH is now urging other organisations to demonstrate their commitment to promoting healthy eating by joining the 500 organisations which have already signed up to the 5 A DAY logo.