World First Chip Standards are good for NZers

7 March 2008

World First Chip Standards are good for New Zealanders

The horticultural industry welcomed the launch today by The Chip Group of the new industry standards on cooking healthier hot chips. The Chip Group is made up of the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand and industry groups.

Kevin Wilcox, Chairman of the Potato Promotion Committee of Horticulture New Zealand said;

“We congratulate The Chip Group on the huge step forward they have taken with these standards and in achieving a world first for New Zealand. We are pleased that the standards will assist in improving the nutritional profile of hot chips by focusing on the way they are prepared and cooked.

“We sincerely hope that these standards are adopted by chip shops around the country as it will greatly reduce the amount of oil used in cooking takeaway chips and this could see a significant amount of fat removed from the kiwi diet.”

Mr Wilcox said that fresh potatoes are nutrient rich, bursting with vitamins and minerals, an excellent source of fibre and carbohydrates, and are virtually fat free.

“The work of the Chip Group on these industry standards helps hot chips to retain some of the natural advantages found in fresh potatoes. Given the popularity of hot chips in New Zealand, we think this is a big step forward.”

Mr Wilcox added that it was particularly timely that The Chip Group has announced these new standards now, as the United Nations has declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato. Potatoes are the world’s fourth largest food crop and are a vital source of nutrition in developing countries where hunger and poverty are always present.

In New Zealand a range of activities that focus on potatoes is happening throughout 2008. More information may be found at www.vegetables.co.nz/potatoes

ENDS

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