Obesity is the big issue for fresh
produce trade
16 January 2007 16:26 | Europe
Mike Knowles
Obesity is definitely a concern here at Eurofruit Magazine. As you may have noticed, our publication has put on quite a bit of weight this month – so much so, in fact, that I’m going to have to do some training in the New Year so I can carry the heavy tome around at Fruit Logistica 2007 in February.
As our front cover suggests, this well-stocked publication contains everything you could possibly need for getting the most out of the world’s leading annual fresh produce trade fair. We’ve produced our biggest ever Fruit Logistica preview (p30-73), spanning over 40 pages and highlighting many of the most interesting exhibitors due to take part in the event. We’ve got interviews with some of the biggest companies in the business, including the heads of Fyffes and the newly demerged Total Produce, as well as industry leaders from GF Group, The Greenery, Cobana Fruchtring, Anecoop, Canavese and Zespri. And there’s plenty more, including major features on South African grapes and Moroccan citrus, plus our annual Trade NZ supplement. The magazine you’re holding may make your arms ache, but there is certainly nothing overblown about its content.
Even if this magazine is having trouble staying slim, the fresh produce sector itself is making some good progress in the bid to counteract obesity. Projects designed to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables through generic promotions are starting to have an effect; alongside a plethora of national schemes based on the 5-a-Day idea, there have been some notably inventive campaigns such as the Mr Fruitness and Food Dude programmes. The latter has done particularly well and was recently presented with a WHO award for fighting obesity (see p11) by EU Health and Consumer Protection Minister Markos Kyprianou.
But it’s not all good news. The fresh produce trade is competing with some giants of the food industry that have deep pockets and large, committed PR departments. In November, Mr Kyprianou praised groups including McDonald’s, Unilever and Kraft for their recent work to address the obesity problem. The EU needs to give its backing to fruit and vegetable consumption schemes as well, but unless this fragmented sector comes together and starts backing more generic promotions, there’s fat chance of it keeping up.
Obesity is definitely a concern here at Eurofruit Magazine. As you may have noticed, our publication has put on quite a bit of weight this month – so much so, in fact, that I’m going to have to do some training in the New Year so I can carry the heavy tome around at Fruit Logistica 2007 in February.
As our front cover suggests, this well-stocked publication contains everything you could possibly need for getting the most out of the world’s leading annual fresh produce trade fair. We’ve produced our biggest ever Fruit Logistica preview (p30-73), spanning over 40 pages and highlighting many of the most interesting exhibitors due to take part in the event. We’ve got interviews with some of the biggest companies in the business, including the heads of Fyffes and the newly demerged Total Produce, as well as industry leaders from GF Group, The Greenery, Cobana Fruchtring, Anecoop, Canavese and Zespri. And there’s plenty more, including major features on South African grapes and Moroccan citrus, plus our annual Trade NZ supplement. The magazine you’re holding may make your arms ache, but there is certainly nothing overblown about its content.
Even if this magazine is having trouble staying slim, the fresh produce sector itself is making some good progress in the bid to counteract obesity. Projects designed to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables through generic promotions are starting to have an effect; alongside a plethora of national schemes based on the 5-a-Day idea, there have been some notably inventive campaigns such as the Mr Fruitness and Food Dude programmes. The latter has done particularly well and was recently presented with a WHO award for fighting obesity (see p11) by EU Health and Consumer Protection Minister Markos Kyprianou.
But it’s not all good news. The fresh produce trade is competing with some giants of the food industry that have deep pockets and large, committed PR departments. In November, Mr Kyprianou praised groups including McDonald’s, Unilever and Kraft for their recent work to address the obesity problem. The EU needs to give its backing to fruit and vegetable consumption schemes as well, but unless this fragmented sector comes together and starts backing more generic promotions, there’s fat chance of it keeping up.
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