Europe Gives Prunes the Thumbs Up!

LONDON, June 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

It's official - news just released from Europe is that prunes are good for your digestion, confirming that Granny was right all along! This is the result of a five year process by the California Prune Board to prove the point by investing in detailed scientific research to meet the stringent requirements of EFSA, the European Food Standards Agency.

"This news affirms what we have known all along, that prunes are good for you," said Jennette Higgs, consultant nutritionist for the California Prune Board.  "They are an excellent healthy snack - just three make up one of your five a day, they are a good source of potassium which helps maintain normal blood pressure and they provide a natural source of fibre."

And British consumers are becoming increasingly aware of these health benefits, judging by the massive increase in demand for prunes from California - recent figures show that we are now consuming over 30% more than last year. California prunes account for just under half of the UK market.

The California Prune Board has been happy to invest in detailed scientific research to prove the health benefits of prunes and supports EFSA's work to streamline the health claims being made by the food industry.