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DH collaborates with Ocean Park to promote fruit eating in Joyful Fruit Month again (with photos)
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     The Department of Health (DH) will celebrate Joyful Fruit Month again in April this year to encourage the public to develop a daily habit of eating fruit as a key part of healthy living.

     Officiating at the Joyful Fruit Month 2014 Kick-off Ceremony at Ocean Park today (March 27), the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, said, "According to studies conducted by the DH in recent years, over 50 per cent of Hong Kong adults did not know that they should eat at least two servings of fruit every day and over 80 per cent did not consume a sufficient amount of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis."

     Adequate intake of fruit and vegetables reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. According to the World Cancer Report 2014 published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization, the worldwide burden of cancer rose to about 14 million new cases in 2012 and colorectal cancer was the third most common cancer diagnosed. In Hong Kong, colorectal cancer was the most common cancer in 2011. It was the third and second leading cause of cancer deaths in males and females respectively. Adequate intake of fruit and vegetables is one of the effective methods to prevent cancer.

     Dr Ko introduced this year's theme of "Enjoy Fruit Every Day". He urged more institutions and organisations to join Joyful Fruit Month to promote a habit of eating fruit regularly among members of the public.

     "Results of the DH's fruit promotion work at schools are encouraging. The number of participating schools in the event has increased from over 360 primary schools in the beginning to over 1 280 schools comprising primary and secondary schools and pre-primary institutions with involvement of more than 500 000 students in this school year," Dr Ko added.

     Also officiating at the ceremony today, the Chairman of Ocean Park, Dr Allan Zeman, introduced the nutrients in various fruit items and the fruit-eating habits of the Park's animals.

     Dr Zeman said, "Ocean Park is not only committed to presenting unique edutaining experiences, but also advocating healthy eating habits through different channels. Joining hands with the DH to promote Joyful Fruit Month again, we are presenting in April a series of creative fruit dishes taking inspiration from various international cuisines which will definitely appeal to kids and adults alike."

     Other officiating guests at the Joyful Fruit Month 2014 Kick-off Ceremony included the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, and Ocean Park's Executive Director of Revenue, Mr Joseph Leung.

     To echo with Joyful Fruit Month, the Park will launch an array of promotional activities, including offering a variety of fruit-filled recipes in its food outlets in April, distributing health information cards on fruit and vegetables, and presenting educational displays at various attractions about the health benefits of fruit and vegetables as well as interesting facts about fruit-loving animals. The Park will also print limited-edition admission tickets themed on Joyful Fruit Month as a reminder to its guests to eat more fruit.

     The DH launched the annual Joyful Fruit Day in the 2006/07 school year as one of the highlights of the EatSmart@school.hk Campaign to promote a daily fruit-eating habit among teachers and students. Last year, the DH raised the profile of Joyful Fruit Day to Joyful Fruit Month to extend messages on promotion of fruit-eating to the community. The DH continues to encourage all secondary, primary and pre-primary institutions to take part in activities to boost students' interest in eating fruit by designating April as Joyful Fruit Month with a view to promoting the health of students in the long run.

     More information on Joyful Fruit Month is available at the EatSmart@school.hk Campaign's website (school.eatsmart.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, March 27, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:00

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