'18m ready meal packs thrown away'

The recent food scandals have had a positive effect on eating habits, according to the survey
13 May 2013

Nearly 18 million packets of processed food were thrown away by British families in the wake of the horse meat scandal, according to a survey.

Research to kick off Tefal's Fresh Week found more than 13.5 thousand tonnes of items like sausages, burgers and meat pies were thrown in the bin.

The kitchenware manufacturer said the figures show the recent scandals have had a positive effect on the nation's eating habits and Britons have become more aware of the health risks of processed ready meals.

Almost a quarter (24%) of the 2007 UK adults questioned by ICM said say that they had cut down on the amount of processed food they eat and the typical family is set to spend £1,762 on fresh food in the coming year.

Researchers found 30% of respondents said that they were put off processed meals after the horse meat scandal and just under 2.8 million people said that they have thrown out processed ready-meals - like lasagnes and curries - as a result.

People are also eating about 20% more British apples, garden peas, cauliflower and cabbage.

Fresh Week is an initiative to encourage the UK to exchange convenience and ready-made meals for fresh unprocessed food for a week from Monday.

Fay Ripley, the actress and Fresh Week supporter, said: "With stories in the news about hidden ingredients and high salt or sugar content in processed foods, it's no wonder as parents we worry about what our families are eating.

"Fresh Week is about finding easy ways to get more fresh fruit and vegetables into mealtimes and knowing what we're putting on the table."

The ICM research interviews took place between April 5 and 7.

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