DH plans inclusion of frozen vegetables in Healthy Start scheme

The Department of Health (DH) is initiating plans which will allow low-income families to use their vouchers to earn discounts on frozen fruit and vegetables.

A government consultation has been launched on new proposals that would see frozen produce included alongside milk, fresh fruit and vegetables as items covered by the Healthy Start scheme.

It is hoped that this plan will give poorer families more choice and flexibility in terms of shopping for healthy foods, which will be particularly beneficial to vulnerable pregnant women and young families.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said it is key that these groups are able to meet their five-a-day fruit and vegetable requirements, with the new plans providing access to a wider range of produce throughout the year.

"Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can significantly reduce deaths from stroke, some cancers and coronary heart disease, so it's important that people have enough," he explained.

This comes after the DH took over responsibility for UK nutrition policy from the Food Standards Agency earlier this month, in order to promote better health standards.