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Potatoes - A Natural Pick Me Up

Press release: 19/06/2008

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The nation’s potato farmers have decided its time to take action, as
research shows that the younger generation are forsaking potatoes for
pasta, yet consuming well below the recommended daily intake of vital
nutrients contained in potatoes, such as iron.

Iron is one of those nutrients that most of us know we need. Without it
we can become tired and lethargic. Women have a higher iron requirement
than men yet according to the latest NDNS survey around 40% of women
under 50, are consuming well below the recommended daily intake of this
vital nutrient.[i] Meanwhile research from Potato Council shows
that many 19 - 35 year olds are forsaking potatoes for pasta[ii]
- when just one portion of potatoes can provide up to 19% of
the recommended daily amount[iii], and pasta only 7%.

Iron is found naturally in a variety of foods from liver and red meat to
dark green leafy vegetables like spinach. But potatoes are seemingly
being overlooked as possibly one of the most natural and economic
sources of iron - and many other important nutrients too including
potassium and vitamin C.

Although, overall potato sales are on the increase, just 2 out of 10
meals prepared by 19-35 year olds contain potatoes, compared to 8 of 10
meals served by the older generation.[iv]  So starting this
week potato farmers will be launching a nationwide campaign to remind us
to ‘love potatoes’

As nutritionist Fiona Hunter explains: "Many people may be surprised to
know that potatoes offer more nutrients for your money compared to rice
or pasta. Aside from iron, potatoes are also packed with potassium which
may help to lower blood pressure and is necessary in helping to control
the balance of fluids in the body.  Although technically not a
vegetable, a portion of potatoes also contains more vitamin C than an
apple and vitamins B6 and B1 plus folate."

"Something for the Weekend’s" chef, Simon Rimmer is supporting the
farmers, and is keen to demonstrate that potatoes are one of the most
versatile and convenient foods available. "With the current credit
crunch, a staple home-grown crop like potatoes is, as it was to our
grandparents, so important. A bag of potatoes offers such tremendous
value and so many options!

"From melt in the mouth mash with sausages, to summer salads, potatoes
make great accompaniments but also are an ideal meal solution. Fill a
jacket potato with bolognaise sauce or curry, roast chicken drumsticks
with potato wedges - the choice is endless. Potatoes are a really fast
food - but good for you too!"

Simon will be joining farmers at Exeter Farmers Market on 19th June,
Manchester Farmers and Producer’s Market on 27th June, Ipswich General
Market on 1st July and Shrewsbury Food and Drink Fair on 4th July.

The Love Potatoes campaign also has the support of potato fan Nell
McAndrew who says "for all those busy mums out there, there is no better
time to love potatoes.  As well as being great value for money,
especially when budgets are stretched, potatoes are packed full of
nutrients, are naturally fat free, low in calories and contain a host of
nutrients - there’s nothing quite like the British potato and I’m
thrilled to join Simon and be on board"

For further information or images please contact:

David Gough     
Ceres Partnership      
Tel: 0118 947 5956   
E: david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk <mailto:david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk>

Lisa Woodman
Ceres Partnership      
Tel: 0118 947 5956   
E: david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk <mailto:david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk>

*Editors Notes*

- For more information on the Love Potatoes campaign visit
www.britishpotatoes.co.uk <http://www.britishpotatoes.co.uk/>

- The Potato Council, supporting the British potato industry, is
funded by potato growers and potato trade purchasers and is part of the
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (www.ahdb.org.uk
<http://www.ahdb.org.uk/>).

- Potato Council has pledged its support for the year-long
International Year of the Potato (IYP) event. Launched at the United
Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, IYP will focus on the importance
of the potato in providing food security and alleviating poverty.
Further information is available at
http://www.britishpotatoes.co.uk/year-of-the-potato

- Iron is an essential part of haemoglobin, the red pigment in
our blood that allows it to carry oxygen around the body.  Low iron
stores can cause problems like excessive tiredness and lethargy. Other
symptoms include shortness of breath, particularly after exertion, poor
concentration, poor appetite muscle weakness and increased
susceptibility to colds and infections.

- Potassium helps control blood pressure. Studies show that
people who get plenty of potassium in their diet are less likely to
suffer from high blood pressure and this will help reduce the risk of
heart disease and stroke. One study found that men who ate the least
amount of potassium were two and half times more likely to die from a
stroke than those who had a high intake.

- A serving of potatoes contains just 116kcals* but a host of
nutrients including vitamins B1 and B6 and folate - compared with a
portion of rice** which contains 248kcals and a portion of pasta***
which contains 228kcals.

- A 175g portion of new potatoes contains 2.8 mg iron, while a
portion of rice contains just 0.36 mg and a portion of pasta contains
just 1.1mg

- A 175g portion of new potatoes contains 752.5mg potassium,
while a portion of rice contains just 97.2 mg and a portion of pasta
contains just 52.8mg

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[i] The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) revealed
that 40% of women aged 19-35 yrs had iron intakes below the Lower
Recommended Nutritional Intake (LRNI), and 30% of women age 19-35 yrs
had potassium intakes below the LRNI.  Meanwhile the Low Income Diet and
Nutrition Survey revealed that a high proportion of low income women in
the 19-34 age group had iron (almost in 1 in 2) and potassium intakes
(almost 1 in 3) below the LRNI.

[ii] Qualitative and quantitative research carried out by
the Oxford partnership, February 2008, showed that pre-families (19-35
year olds living together) are 27% less likely to use potatoes when
cooking simple adult meals, and 17% less likely to use potatoes when
cooking healthy meals, than the GB average.

Fresh potatoes are used for 43% of all meals cooked by pre-families, the
lowest of any lifestage.  Meanwhile, rice, pasta and noodles - which
contain significantly less iron and potassium - are used for 40% of
meals, the highest of any lifestage.

[iii] Recommended Daily Amount (RDA): The amount of a
nutrient that is enough to meet the dietary needs of about 97% of a
group of people.  The RDA for women for iron is 14.8mg.

[iv] Consumer lifestages identified how often meals are
served where potatoes are the carbohydrate component.  The younger
lifestages were the lowest consumers of potatoes - March 2006

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