Heinz baked beans deemed equivalent in nutritional value to fresh fruit

Controversy in Britain is set to soar over the government's new backing of Heinz canned products, which will be labelled as counting towards the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) has given Heinz the go-ahead to label more than 70 different canned products as counting towards the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, in a bid to improve the nation's health.

The products include soup, spaghetti hoops and baked beans, and the move has astounded leading specialists in heart disease, according to a report from BBC Online. The news service claims that health experts are appalled at the official endorsement of products which are often high in salt, sugar and fat.

According to the report, the British only eat an average of three portions of fruit and vegetables a day - insufficient levels for good health, claims the BDA, a government organisation.

Demonstrating that it merits frozen, dried and canned products as well as fresh ones, the BDA is backing a marketing initiative by Heinz that will see the food company adding new labels to more than 70 of its tinned brands, illustrating facts such as the claim that half a can of baked beans count as one of the five recommended daily portions of fruit and vegetables.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We support initiatives which enable consumers to increase their consumption of fruit or vegetables. However, if people want to ensure they are eating a healthy diet it is important to remember that includes a variety of foods."​

"For most people that means eating more fruit and vegetables, more bread, cereals and potatoes and less fat, sugar and salt,"​ he added.