DH marks 20th anniversary of promoting Joyful Fruit & Veg in schools and launches Joyful Fruit & Veg Month in April to further strengthen promotion and education (with photos)
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Officiating at the ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, "Strong scientific evidence shows that consuming an adequate amount of fruit and vegetables helps reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. A healthy, balanced diet also helps reduce being overweight and obesity, and improves the health of the public. However, the DH's Student Health Service Annual Health Report for 2024/25 School Year shows that 89.4 per cent of students (82.5 per cent of primary school students and 96.8 per cent of secondary school students) reported an inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables per day (i.e. an average of fewer than four servings for primary school students and fewer than five servings for secondary school students) in the 2024/25 school year, indicating a need for improvement. In view of this, in the 2025/26 school year, the DH has upgraded its fruit and vegetables promotion event to Joyful Fruit & Veg Month. So far, more than 1 700 schools have participated, benefiting nearly 600 000 students, a record high. The theme of this year is 'The Fruit and Veg Duo, Your Health-Boosting Combo', reminding students and parents that fruit and vegetables are the best partners for good health. The theme also echoes the DH's Action Plan on Weight Management, launched in early March, which spans the entire life cycle, and promotes the adoption of healthy diets and lifestyles from an early age to prevent obesity and various chronic diseases."
Since the 2006/07 school year, the DH has held the annual Joyful Fruit Day to encourage students to eat enough fruit every day. In the 2012/13 school year, the event was upgraded, and April was designated as Joyful Fruit Month each year. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event. A total of 286 schools have participated in the event for 20 consecutive years. To recognise these schools for their long-term commitment to and support of the event, commendations and awards were presented to them.
Building on past success, starting from April 1, the DH will organise various publicity activities in collaboration with schools and community stakeholders. A variety of resources and teaching materials will also be provided to schools to encourage them to organise systematic promotional activities throughout the school year, with a view to enhancing students' awareness of having sufficient fruit and vegetables and a healthy diet, and encouraging them to put this into practice.
The DH expresses its sincere gratitude to schools, parents and all sectors of the community for their continuous support for the "EatSmart@school.hk" Campaign and Joyful Fruit & Veg Month, which have contributed to the balanced physical and mental development of students and to the overall public health of Hong Kong. To tie in with this year's Joyful Fruit & Veg Month, the DH earlier organised the A Sufficient Intake of Fruit and Vegetables Colouring Competition 2026, inviting participation from kindergarten, child care centre and primary school students. The competition received over 1 600 entries from more than 240 schools. Through colours and creativity, participating students expressed their love for fruit and vegetables and their support for a healthy diet.
Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui; the Principal Assistant Secretary (Education Infrastructure) of the Education Bureau, Ms Katharine Choi; the Head of the Health Promotion Branch of the DH, Dr Kellie So; the Project Director of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, Ms Lee Shuk-ling; member of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation Ms Rebecca Ng; and the Head of Business and Communications of Hong Kong Education City, Ms Michelle Lee.
Members of the public who wish to obtain more information about Joyful Fruit & Veg Month and the list of commended schools may visit the Joyful Fruit & Veg Month thematic website of the DH.
Ends/Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:00
Issued at HKT 19:00
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