The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will recommend all forms of fruits and vegetables, rather than exclusively fresh varieties.
Interim president for the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), Joseph Clayton, has commended the recommendation of all forms of fruits and vegetables, without limiting language, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are published every five years to reflect the most current nutrition science and have an important role in guiding federal nutrition policy.
“AFFI applauds the administration for recognizing the benefits of all forms of fruits and vegetables – frozen, fresh, canned, dried and 100% juice – in achieving and maintaining healthy dietary patterns. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans have a broad reach and it is important they reflect sound science.
“As confirmed by Frozen Food Foundation-commissioned nutritional studies conducted by the Universities of Georgia (UGA) and California Davis (UC Davis), frozen fruits and vegetables are as rich in nutrients, and often more so, than fresh stored produce.
“A recent study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation found that government guidelines reinforcing the healthfulness of all forms of fruits and vegetables positively impact consumers’ perceptions of packaged fruits and vegetables, which include frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice products. We are pleased that the administration is encouraging Americans to utilize a full range of fruits and vegetables through inclusive language in the new DGAs.”
