Cheese from plants, bread from meat ?

Just how confused are people about where their food comes from ? Seriously confused, according to a survey of 27,500 British children aged 5 to 16 by the British Nutrition Foundation in May.

• 1 in 3 aged 5 to 8 think cheese is made from plants.
• 1 in 3 aged 5 to 8 believe pasta and bread are derived from meat.
• 1 in 4 aged 5 to 8 think fish fingers come from chicken or pigs.
• 1 in 5 aged 5 to 8 believe potatoes grow above ground.
• 1 in 10 aged 9 to 16 think tomatoes grow underground.

Reassuringly, 77% of children aged 5 to 8 and 88% of children aged 9 to 16 know they should eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. But only 33% of younger children and 19% of older children actually do. Though many don’t believe canned or frozen products count.

Disturbingly, 8% of children aged 5 to 8 do not eat breakfast, rising to 24% of 11 to 14 year olds and 32% of 14 to 16 year olds.

At least 73% of children aged 5 to 8 had been on a farm visit. But clearly a lot more nutrition education is needed.