Low intake of fruit, vegetables and fibre is consistently linked to a multitude of chronic health conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and bowel cancer.
Claire Ogley, head of campaigns, policy and research at The Vegan Society, said: “The Government's upcoming food strategy must urgently address this ticking timebomb for public health and include measures to dramatically increase fruit and veg consumption in the UK and recommend plant based diets.
“Governments elsewhere in the world are taking action now to ensure their citizens are able to eat more healthy, sustainable, plant-based foods. Here in the UK, successive Governments have been bystanders as diets have deteriorated. This new data shows that current efforts are not working.
“There is a critical need for the government to lead a transition towards plant-rich diets and take steps to ensure that plant-based foods are accessible, affordable and attractive to people including through providing practical education for the general public about growing, preparing and cooking fruit, vegetables, pulses and wholegrains.”