The use of household budget surveys to estimate the availability of fruits and vegetables for consumption in Swiss households after deduction of food waste

Abstract

Background

The consumption of 400-600 grams per day of fruits and vegetables has been

linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower incidence of cancers

and chronic diseases. This study explores the alignment of household

purchases of fruits and vegetables with nutritional recommendations in

Switzerland.

Methods

The Swiss Household Budget Surveys for 2006-2008 are analyzed to estimate

the availability of fruits and vegetables at household level after accounting for

food waste. A household is defined as meeting the recommendation when the

monthly purchases by weight are equal or superior to the amount required to

provide three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits per person per

day.

Results

The descriptive statistics demonstrate that close to 90% of households fail to meet the vegetable

recommendation, and 76% fail to meet the fruit recommendation when unavoidable waste is deducted. These

percentages increase further when total waste (unavoidable, possibly avoidable, and avoidable waste) is

deducted from household purchases. Moreover, a significant association is observed between the structure of

the households and the availability of fruits and vegetables. Families with children are less likely to meet the

recommendations than other types of households.

Conclusions

This paper reveals a need to improve the availability and accessibility to fruits and vegetables, particularly in

households with children. It also highlights the importance of limiting avoidable food waste at household

level. Interventions such as introducing price subsidies on fruits and vegetables, and educating the public on

the importance of limiting household food waste, are recommended.