Malaysians eat less fruits than WHO's recommendations - FAMA Chairman

BUTTERWORTH, July 5 (Bernama) – A study conducted by The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) had shown that an average Malaysian’s fruit consumption is eight times lower than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation.

FAMA chairman Ishak Ismail today said that the study had concluded  that a Malaysian, on average took five kilogramme (kg) of fruit per month against 40 kg recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

“The latest statistics issued by WHO last year stated that Malaysians fruit consumption rate only reached 63 kg per person annually as compared to 146 kg per person per year in other developed countries,” he told reporters here. 

Earlier, he joined Penang Health, Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin to launch a campaign to promote fruit consumption in conjunction with the annual Penang Durian Festival in Seberang Jaya expo site.

According to Ishak, Cited from World Health Report 2003, WHO also stated that a low fruit and vegetable intake was among the top 10 risk factors contributing to attributable mortality.

Ishak said that the three-day campaign was targetting students and teachers in schools and colleges to educate as well as to raise awareness of the importance of fruit consumption.

“We will be educating the youngsters through competitions, literature and even field trips to fruit farms to show the importance of fruits in our lifestyle,” he said.

He added that similar campaign would be held in Perak from July 25 to 27, as well as Terengganu between Aug 5 and 7.

-- BERNAMA