Written question asked by Christopher Chope (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the basis is for the Government's policy that a potato is not a vegetable for the purposes of healthy eating schemes. - (Holding answer 9 December 2003).

Answer: Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis is for the Government's policy that a potato is not a vegetable for the purposes of healthy eating schemes. [143093] Miss Melanie Johnson: [holding answer 9 December 2003]: Foods are classified according to the main nutrients they contribute to the diet. Potatoes provide mainly carbohydrate in the form of starch whereas foods classified as fruit and vegetables provide much less carbohydrate.

Secondary information