Despite the best efforts from public and private health initiatives, Americans still don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables each day.  The Centers for Disease Control has long reported that only 1 in 10 of us eat enough and new research from the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) showed continuing low levels of consumption.

According to PBH, their research found people are eating fruits and vegetables less frequently, down nearly 10% since 2004. The most significant contributors to this decline have been a 16% decrease in vegetable consumption frequency.  Alarmingly, fruit consumption is also down among children. Overall in the past five years alone, overall consumption has declined by three percent.

With decades of research illustrating the powerful health benefits of increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, this downward trend is concerning with significant public health implications.

One recent study from Harvard University found that just two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables were associated with the greater longevity, a 12% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a 10% lower risk of death from cancer, and a 35% lower risk of death from respiratory diseases. The researchers said the greatest benefits were seen in those individuals who ate leafy greens, such as spinach, lettuce, and kale, as well as fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene and vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, and carrots.

Another study from Tufts University found “prescriptions” for fruits and veggies would prevent 1.93 million cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks) and 350,000 deaths, as well as cut healthcare costs by $40 billion.

Dramatic health benefits combined with low consumption figures underscore the need and importance of multiple efforts and resources to improve the diets of Americans.  These statistics also show that creating barriers to consumption – such as inaccurately promoting safety fears – is detrimental and negatively impacts consumers and should be abandoned.

One of the worst offenders of creating and perpetuating inaccurate fears among consumers is the annual release of the so-called “Dirty Dozen” list which disparages the most popular, affordable and accessible fruits and vegetables.  Peer reviewed research has found that when low income consumers are exposed to the “Dirty Dozen” list and its messaging, they state they are less likely to purchase any produce – organic or conventional. And, dietitians almost unanimously agree that the “Dirty Dozen” list negatively impacts their efforts to improve diets among clients and consumers.

And, yet the “Dirty Dozen” list is continually released despite its impact on consumers and being discredited by the scientific community and peer reviewed research.  It should be noted that the authors of this list are well-funded and well-connected with A-list celebrities among their Board members.  What could they do if they used those resources for the public good instead of disparaging the work of farmers and scaring consumers away from produce?

Year after year, we ask the list authors to move away from the list release and toward public health initiatives.  They refuse and steadfastly cling to this tactic.  Someone should ask them why.

#NoMoreDirtyDozen #FactsNotFear #EatMoreProduce