Dominique Gillot, French Health Minister, last week launched a five year National Nutrition Plan for the French people. The main objective of the programme is to improve the overall health of the nation by stressing the importance of nutrition. The government will emphasise the role of taste, the pleasure of food and advice on eating habits. Among measures taken are a press campaign to promote fruit and vegetables; free fruit in schools; more than 4 million food guides for the public, this last particularly targeted at those with extra nutritional needs such as pregnant women and young children. The government also announced that in the next five years 800 dietician jobs and 50 for doctors specialising in nutrition will be created.
