Survey of Five-a-Day Clains on Pre-Packed Foods 2005

The purpose of the survey was to assess the validity of five a day claims made on pre-packed fruit and vegetable products and also to assess whether these products met the nutritional criteria set by the Department of Health for the use of such claims.

The Department of Health campaign was based on encouraging the consumption of five different portions of fruit and vegetable each day in order to promote a healthy and balanced diet.

The survey focussed on this message with a view to assessing whether manufacturers using their own five a day logos and making five a day claims were acting within the same guidelines as the Department of Health or whether the claims were being made merely as a marketing tool.

Making a claim that a foodstuff contains a number of portions of fruit/vegetables when in fact the food did not contain the amount stated would be considered to be false and misleading under section 15 of the Food Safety act 1990.

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