Western Australian Health Department recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption--how much is enough?

In 1989 the Nutrition Program of the Health Department of Western Australia determined a minimum recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables for use in promotion of increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Considerations in the development of this recommendation included: a review of existing recommendations; the protective effects of fruit and vegetables; specification of fruit and vegetables separately or together; classification of fruit and vegetables; definition of a serve; and practical considerations for the implementation of the recommendation. This paper outlines the development of the recommendation to eat at least two average-sized (120-150 g) pieces of fruit and five average-sized (60-90 g) serves of vegetables daily.