People missing five-a-day target

More women than men eat fruit

Many people still do not manage to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but they now have more than before, a survey suggests.

The Food Standards Agency survey suggests diets are slowly improving but people from poorer backgrounds struggle to achieve the five-a-day target.

The survey found 58% of 2,627 people surveyed last year had eaten at least five portions the day beforehand.

This was an increase from a year earlier when 55% hit the target.

Consumption was higher in the higher social grades, with 71% of respondents classed in the AB category having eaten five or more portions the previous day.

'Encouraging results'

Nearly two thirds (63%) of women had hit or exceeded the recommended five a day compared to 54% of men.

The report is based on a survey of 2,627 people carried out between August and October 2007.

It also found fewer people were concerned about food safety issues such as additives, food poisoning and GM food than the previous year.

But concern about food hygiene in supermarkets increased to 17% from 11% in 2006.

FSA chief scientist Andrew Wadge said the majority of people realised the importance of healthy eating, which was encouraging.

"However, what appears to be a drop in concern about how much fat and salt there is in our food shows how critical it is that the agency continues to raise awareness around a healthier diet and provides clear information and advice, backed up by scientific evidence," he said.