It is often thought that fresh fruit and veg is better than any other form, but we at Canned Food UK strive to challenge this misconception.

We are a national organisation that represents the canned food industry, with our members comprising can makers, steel manufacturers and can fillers. We are committed to exploring and promoting the benefits of canned food to consumers, and have put healthier eating - and 5 A DAY - at the heart of our campaign activity.

It is now widely recognised that fruit canned in its own juice, and vegetables canned in water, can help count towards five daily portions of fruit and veg. The canning process - which pressure cooks food inside the can - naturally preserves ingredients after they are harvested, when their flavour, vitamins and minerals are at their best.

To help promote healthy eating and increase awareness of the nutritional benefit of canned fruit and veg, we have recently created a series of celebrity webcasts and podcasts featuring celebrity chef James Martin, TV presenter Philippa Forrester and dietician Lyndel Costain.

The films demonstrate recipes using canned fruit and veg and address various aspects of food and nutrition. Philippa Forrester talks candidly about the barriers she faces as a mother when encouraging her family to eat five portions of fruit and veg, while Lyndel Costain offers advice based on the 5 A DAY - ‘Top Tips for Top Mums’ campaign.

The web and podcasts, which promote the various nutritional and convenience values of canned food, are available to download on Canned Food UK’s website, and will be released on a bi-monthly basis throughout 2007 and 2008.

Our new website also features plenty of information about 5 A DAY, and aims to encourage all ages to learn about healthier eating and how to incorporate five portions of fruit or vegetables into their daily diet.

Canned Food UK will continue to promote the benefits of 5 A DAY, and work with the Department of Health’s 5 A DAY Programme.

For more information about Canned Food UK visit

www.cannedfood.co.uk.

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