HC Deb 22 October 2001 vol 373 cc32-3W
Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent evidence he has assessed on changes in the nutritional content of vegetables.[4682]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: The Food Standards Agency collects data on the nutrient content of a wide range of foods, including fruit and vegetables, on a regular basis. A report published last year suggests there has been some decline in the nutrient content of fruit and vegetables. Due to a variety of factors, the range of nutrient levels in foods can be very wide and is approximately the same for conventional and organic produce.

The composition of individual foods is less important than the nutrient content and overall balance of the diet. Data show that nutrient intakes for the population as a whole are generally adequate.