Half portions of fruit and veg promoted in the UK

Food manufacturers in the UK plan to promote half-portions of the fruit and veg in products from baked beans to lasagne in an initiative to encourage consumers to eat more of their five a day.

A voluntary code, drawn up by industry body IGD, allows food makers to market the fruit and vegetable content of "composite foods" if they meet certain nutritional criteria, reported just-food.

Manufacturers including HJ Heinz, PepsiCo and United Biscuits, have agreed limits to the amount of sugar, salt and saturated fat that will be allowed in a composite food promoted as contributing to help consumers reach the target of five portions of fruit and veg a day.