School Fruit Scheme: Increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables by school children – Which role for the European Union?

With an estimated 22 million overweight children in the EU25 - of which 5.1 million are considered obese - the increase in child obesity can be described as an epidemic. The figure is rising, with 1.2 million children becoming overweight each year and 300,000 obese.

Eating more fruit and vegetables can play an important role in combating obesity. Fruit and vegetables reduce the "energy density" of the diet and play a protective role, combating heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

In the context of the reform of the fruit and vegetables sector, the Council has asked the Commission to come forward as soon as possible with a proposal for an EU school fruit scheme based on an impact assessment of the benefits, practicability and administrative costs involved.

An impact assessment has now been launched by the Commission, under the auspices of an Inter-Service Steering Group drawn from all the relevant Commission services. A key element will be an extensive public consultation. The final report of this exercise is expected in early 2008.