BRITISH CONSUMERS eat half the amount of eggs and potatoes and drink a third less milk than they did in 1975.

But DEFRA‘s latest survey of food consumption and nutrition shows that fresh fruit consumption over the same period has risen by over 50%.

The survey also shows that consumption patterns have changed in the last 12 months.

Comparing household consumption in 2002/03 with the previous year, fresh fruit consumption was 5.8% higher.

But milk consumption was 1.6% lower and fresh potato consumption was 4.6% lower.

There were also falls in purchases of fish, fats and oils, processed vegetables, bread and beverages.

But rises were noted in the purchases of flour (up 12%), biscuits, rice, pasta, pizza and other goods such as ice cream and mineral water.