Government launches 5-A-Day scheme nationwide

The government has announced the completion of the nationwide launch of its 5-A-Day scheme, which is designed to encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables in the UK.

Representing the latest phase of the Change4Life programme, the initiative has seen the initiation of its final wave in London and involves the prominent display of an expanded range of natural produce in stores across the country.

The scheme has been introduced nationally after shops involved in an initial pilot saw a 40 percent rise in fruit and vegetable sales, as well as an increase in overall takings and customer satisfaction.

Public health minister Anne Milton observed that the 5-A-Day programme is set to experience even wider penetration following the Association of Convenience Stores' pledge to fund the project in another 1,000 shops by 2012.

She added: "This is brilliant news for local communities and people's health, as well as for shopkeepers' profits when times are quite difficult."

Earlier this year, the government launched the Great Swapathon scheme as part of Change4Life, which is designed to persuade UK resident to trade unhealthy habits for healthy ones.