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Scottish diet and nutrition plan launched

Food Standards Agency Scotland today outlined its main strategies for improving Scotland's diet.

The Diet and Nutrition Strategy's four priorities are:

-- promoting the consumption of healthy diet and food choices

-- making it easier for everyone, particularly those in low income or rural areas, to access healthier food choices

-- promoting the preparation and provision of meals which offer a balanced diet -- working with the food manufacturing, processing and retailing industries to further develop healthier food choices

FSA Scotland Director George Paterson said: 'This plan covers a number of key topics which we need to address over the coming years to work towards a healthier Scotland.

'The FSA will by no means be working alone, indeed we'll be working closely with partners across Scotland nationally and locally on such diverse activities as developing product specifications to improving access to fresh fruit and vegetables for low income consumers.'

The plan complements the activities of partners such as the Scottish Executive Health Department in taking forward the recommendations of the Scottish Diet Action Plan.

Scotland's food and health co-ordinator Gillian Kynoch, commented: 'This strategy, with its commitment to key priorities for Scotland's health, is a powerful statement of the partnership approach we are taking on health improvement in Scotland.

'With the continued support of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland, we are in a strong position to improve Scotland's diet and tackle our related health issues.'

The strategy initially covers the three-year period 2003-2006. It will be reviewed in 2005 to add more detail for the years ahead, reflecting the Agency's overall role and priorities detailed in the FSA's strategic plan 2005-2010, which is currently the subject of a public consultation.

From: The Food Standard Agency, UK

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